{"id":6273,"date":"2017-10-24T04:00:24","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T08:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6273"},"modified":"2017-10-24T04:00:24","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T08:00:24","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-october-24-2017-martyr-anastasia-the-roman-st-demetrios-liturgy-toys-for-tots-thank-you-from-the-teufel-family-st-peter-bake-sale-trunk-or-treat-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-october-24-2017-martyr-anastasia-the-roman-st-demetrios-liturgy-toys-for-tots-thank-you-from-the-teufel-family-st-peter-bake-sale-trunk-or-treat-more\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter October 24, 2017 — Martyr Anastasia the Roman, St. Demetrios Liturgy, Toys for Tots, Thank You from the Teufel Family, St. Peter Bake Sale, Trunk or Treat, more…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seventh Sunday of Luke
Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost<\/h2>\n

Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman; Venerable Abraham and his niece Mary of Mesopotamia; New Hieromartyr Athanasios of Sparta; Venerable Martyr Timothy of Esphigmenou monastery on Athos; Abraham, bishop of Rostov<\/h4>\n

Who Was The Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman?<\/h4>\n
\"The
The Martyr Anastasia the Roman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Martyr Anastasia the Roman lost her parents in infancy, and was then taken to be reared by the abbess of a women’s monastery, named Sophia. She raised Anastasia in fervent faith, in the fear of God and obedience.<\/p>\n

The persecution against Christians by the emperor Decius (249-251) began at that time. The city administrator, Probus, on the orders of the emperor commanded that Anastasia be brought to him. Blessed by her abbess to suffer for Christ, the young martyr Anastasia humbly came out to meet the armed soldiers. Seeing her youth and beauty, Probus first attempted flattery to make her deny Christ.<\/p>\n

“Why waste your youth, deprived of pleasure? What is there to gain by enduring tortures and death for the Crucified? Worship our gods, marry a handsome husband, and live in glory and honor.”<\/p>\n

The saint steadfastly replied, “My spouse, my riches, my life and my happiness are my Lord Jesus Christ, and you will not turn me away from Him by your deceit!”<\/p>\n

Probus subjected Anastasia to fierce tortures. The holy martyr bravely endured them, glorifying and praising the Lord. In anger the torturers cut out her tongue.<\/p>\n

The people, seeing the inhuman and disgusting treatment of the saint, became indignant, and the ruler was compelled to end the tortures by beheading the martyr. In this manner, Saint Anastasia received the crown of martyrdom.<\/p>\n

The body of the saint was thrown out beyond the city to be eaten by wild animals, but the Lord did not permit her holy relics to be dishonored. At the command of a holy angel, Abbess Sophia went to find Saint Anastasia’s mutilated body. With the help of two Christians, she buried it in the earth.<\/p>\n

Source: The Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Who Were The Venerable Abraham and His Niece Mary of Mesopotamia?<\/h4>\n

\"Who<\/p>\n

St. Abramius the Hermit and Blessed Maria, his niece, lived the ascetic life in the village of Chidan, near the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia. They were contemporaries and fellow countrymen of St. Ephraim the Syrian, who afterwards wrote about their life.<\/p>\n

St. Abramius began the solitary life in the prime of youth. He left his parents’ home and settled in the wilderness and spending his days in unceasing prayer. After the deaths of his parents, the saint refused his inheritance and requested his relatives to give it away to the poor. By his strict ascetic life, fasting, and love for mankind, Abramius attracted many seeking spiritual enlightenment, prayers and blessings.<\/p>\n

Soon his faith was put to a serious test, as he was appointed presbyter in one of the pagan villages of Mesopotamia. For three years, the saint worked to enlighten the pagans. He had a pagan temple destroyed and built a church in its place. Humbly enduring mockery and beatings from idol-worshippers, he entreated the Lord, “Look down, O Master, upon Your servant, hear my prayer. Strengthen me and set Your servants free from diabolical snares, and grant them to know You, the one true God.” He was granted the happiness to see the culmination of his righteous efforts: the pagans eventually came to believe in Jesus Christ, and St. Abramius baptized each of them himself.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

St. Abramius’s niece, the Nun Maria, grew up being sustained by his spiritual instruction. Her father died when she was seven, and so she was raised by her saintly uncle. However, the devil tried to turn her from the true path. When she was 27, she fell into a sinful relationship with a man. Thoroughly ashamed, she left her cell, went to another city, and began to live in a brothel. Two years later, when he learned of this, St. Abramius dressed himself in soldier’s garb so that he should not be recognized, and he went to the city to find his niece. Pretending to be one of her “clients,” he revealed his identity once they were alone. With many tears and exhortations, he brought her to repentance and took her back to her cell.<\/p>\n

St. Maria spent the rest of her days in prayer and tears of repentance. The Lord forgave her and even granted her the gift of healing the sick. She peacefully died five years after St. Abramius.<\/p>\n

Read the complete story on the Antiochian Archdiocese<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

St. Demetrios Liturgy on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6:30pm<\/h2>\n
\"St.
St. Demetrios<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

St. Demetrios is with St. Peter’s parish. He revealed himself after hurricane Irma. Read about it here<\/a> (scroll to “St. Demetrios Visits St. Peter’s”).<\/p>\n

We will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for St. Demetrios on the eve of his feast day Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6:30pm.<\/p>\n

Who Was St. Demetrios?<\/h4>\n

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr Demetrios of Thessaloniki the Myrrh-streamer (also Demetrios) is one of the most popular saints in the Orthodox world. He was martyred around the year 306 in Thessalonica, and his cult rapidly grew during the Middle Ages, when he was regarded as the first recognized patron and protector of the city, militarily as well as spiritually. His feast day is celebrated on October 26. The Serbian Orthodox Church commemorates the Saint as a Mitar having a feast of Mitrovan on November 8.<\/p>\n

Demetrios came from a noble family of the Roman province of Macedonia. Through this noble ancestry and through his own ability and virtue he rose to a high military position under Galerius Maximian, Caesar of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire (with Diocletian as the Augustus, or senior emperor). Despite this position in the still-pagan empire, he remained fervent in faith and works for Christ, encouraging many Christians to endure persecution and even bringing many pagans to the faith.<\/p>\n

When Maximian returned from one of his campaigns to Thessaloniki, which he had made his capital, he had pagan games and sacrifices celebrated for his triumph. Demetrios was denounced by pagans who were envious of his success, and he was thrown into prison. While in prison he was visited by a young Christian named Nestor, who asked him for a blessing to engage in single combat with the giant Lyaios (or Lyaeus), who was posing as the champion of paganism. Demetrios gave his blessing and Nestor, against all odds, slew his opponent in the arena, as David had once defeated Goliath.<\/p>\n

The enraged emperor, learning that this had occurred with Demetrios’s aid, first had Nestor beheaded outside the city and then had Demetrios impaled in prison. Later Demetrios’s servant Lupus was beheaded after using his master’s blood-stained tunic and signet ring to work many miracles. The Christians buried Demetrios and Nestor next together in the bath where Demetrios had been imprisoned. During the seventh century a miraculous flow of fragrant myrrh was found emanating from his tomb, giving rise to the appellation Mirovlitis, the Myrrh Gusher to his name. His tomb containing his relics is now in the crypt of the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n

St. Demetrios is revered as the patron saint of Thessaloniki and is believed by the people as having intervened to save the city over the years from invading foreigners, from the Slavic nations, Bulgarians, Arabs, Saracens, and others. While well remembered in the Hellenic world, the memory of the Great Martyr Demetrios of Thessaloniki found an attachment in the Slavic, particularly the Russian, world from the times of the Russian Primary Chronicle.<\/p>\n

Source: The Orthodoxwiki<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Bob Smith Hospitalized<\/h2>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\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

 <\/div>\n

Living the Orthodox Faith Class Continues Wednesday, November 1 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

This week we will learn about the Proskomede – How the priest prayers the gifts (the bread and wine that become the Holy Eucharist).<\/p>\n

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

 <\/div>\n

Toys for Tots Drive Begins<\/h2>\n

\"Give<\/p>\n

Every Christmas season St. Peter’s parishioners contribute to Toys for Tots which gives children who otherwise would receive no gifts some presents on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n

If you would like to contribute, bring an unwrapped present for a child in its original packaging. A collection box is in the Social Hall. We will deliver them to the fire station where they are collected for distribution to the needy children.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Thank You from the Tuefel Family<\/h2>\n

The Teufel family would like to thank all those that were in attendance for the baptism of Lucas James on August 19. We are grateful for the thoughtful cards and generous gifts. Unfortunately, a package of thank you notes sent to Florida may have been lost in the mail, as it was sent shortly after Hurricane Irma.<\/p>\n

We look forward to visiting the Saint Peter Orthodox Church family when we are in Florida over the holiday season.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

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

\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Trunk or Treat — An Alternative to Halloween<\/h2>\n

\"Say<\/p>\n

Halloween is problem. It remains as a cultural hold-over from pagan (pre-Christianized) Europe. Several decades ago it was not a problem because it was sanitized. Kids dressed up as cartoon characters and it was still safe to go house to house. As our society becomes increasingly de-Christianized however, the old pagan roots of Halloween become more evident. You see this especially on television where (horrible!) horror shows are played endlessly, the costumes become gory, and so forth.<\/p>\n

The problem for parents is that Halloween is so hyped up that all kids get into it. The promise of candy and sweets is a great lure. We could isolate ourselves from it but that is difficult for our children to understand. It is better to restrict our children’s exposure to it by joining with like-mined parents who handle it ways different than what the dominant culture dictates.<\/p>\n

To that end, parents are invited to bring your children to the Trunk or Treat Celebration<\/em> hosted on the grounds of First Baptist Church (get directions here<\/a>). Bring your children to St. Peter’s at 5:30 on October 31 where Fr. Hans will give a small talk to the kids about Halloween. Then parents will drive to First Baptist Church and kids will pick up their candy from the trunks of cars hosted by parents with the same concerns we have. The event begins at 6:30pm.<\/p>\n

There will be no Halloween themed costumes or candy (no monsters, no gore, nothing that implies death or horror) at Trunk or Treat<\/em>. Kids can wear costumes but they should be wholesome characters. This way the kids partake of the day without ostracization from their peers but without the dark themes that are becoming increasingly prevalent in the larger culture.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Memorial Prayers of John Spiropoulos and Plato Pavis, Sunday November 5, 2017<\/h2>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

Thirteen year memorial prayers will be offered of John Spiropoulos, father of Joan Simon, on Sunday, November 5, 2017 following the Divine Liturgy. John was born in Manhattan and grew up in Elmhurst, Queens, NY. He had resided in Succasunna for 47 years before moving to Mt. Arlington, New Jersey. He also resided in Ft. Myers, FL. Mr. Spiropoulos served in World War II and the Korean War as a First Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. He was a 1947 graduate of Princeton University where he earned his B.S. Degree in Economics and was Captain of the Varsity fencing team. Mr. Spiropoulos worked as a market research analyst for various companies, including Reliance Electric in Newark, NJ.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n
\n\"Plato\n<\/div>\n

One year memorial prayers will be offered for Plato Pavis was a long time resident of Fort Myers, a locally known painter, and a much loved man in the local Orthodox community. Plato possessed an indomitable spirit and was active until his death at 97 years old. Several years ago the Fort Myer’s News Press published an article<\/a> that reveals what an interesting man Plato was.<\/p>\n

Both memorials are sponsored by John and Joan Simon.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Church Clean Up Day, Saturday November 4, 2017 following Divine Liturgy at 9:00am<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Church clean up day is scheduled for Saturday, November 4 starting at 10:30am. Please note that this follows a Divine Liturgy at 9:00am for St. Raphael of Brooklyn that our Metropolitan requires us to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Please bring your cleaning tools from home along. We will have supplies at Church as well the the more we have the easier and faster the job can be done.<\/p>\n

This prepares the Church for the Christmas and Epiphany season.<\/p>\n

Many hands make light work. The more volunteers we have, the quicker the clean up can be done.<\/em><\/p>\n

Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n