{"id":6407,"date":"2018-01-02T15:31:52","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T20:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6407"},"modified":"2018-01-02T15:31:52","modified_gmt":"2018-01-02T20:31:52","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-january-2-2018-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-january-2-2018-1\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter January 2, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Synaxis of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John<\/h2>\n

The New-martyr Athanasios of Attali, and Venerable Brannock of Braunton<\/h4>\n
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The Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In the Orthodox Church it is customary, on the day following the Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior.<\/p>\n

Saint John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. Saint John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior’s Baptism.<\/p>\n

The holy Prophet John was related to the Lord on His mother’s side, the son of the Priest Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth. The holy Forerunner, John, was born six months before Christ. The Archangel Gabriel announced his birth in the Temple at Jerusalem, revealing to Zachariah that a son was to be born to him.<\/p>\n

Read the entire article on the Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Theophany Schedule: Friday 9am Royal Hours; Saturday 9am Theophany Liturgy<\/h2>\n
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PLEASE NOTE:<\/strong> This is a change from the original schedule. <\/p>\n

The Royal Hours (reading of Psalms and Prophecies) will be held on Friday, January 5, starting at 9am.<\/p>\n

The Theophany Liturgy will be held on Saturday, January 6, starting at 9am.<\/p>\n

The Blessing of the Water will be held following the Liturgy on Saturday inside the church.<\/p>\n

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Living the Orthodox Faith Class Continues Wednesday, January 17 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

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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Sign up for House Blessings<\/h2>\n
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Fr. Hans will be blessing homes and businesses during the Theophany season. Please sign up after Liturgy or email Fr. Hans<\/a> with a few times that work for you. He will contact you to finalize date and time. <\/p>\n

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Fr. Hans Out of Town from Wednesday, January 10 to Saturday, January 13.<\/h2>\n

He will be attending SOPHIA, the Society of Orthodox Philosophers in America held at Holy Archangels Monastery in San Antonia, Texas. He will be available on his cell phone 9239-248-4775).<\/p>\n

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Cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Bread) Sunday, January 14, 2018<\/h2>\n
\n\"Vasilopita\"\n<\/div>\n

The tradition of baking and cutting a special “pita” (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed in honor of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia— hence its name “Vasilopita” meaning “St. Basil’s Bread.” This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. What is the meaning of this tradition and how did it begin?<\/p>\n

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

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St. Peter’s General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, January 21<\/h2>\n
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St. Peter’s will hold it first annual General Assembly meeting on Sunday, January 21, 2018 following the Divine Liturgy. St. Peter’s is growing and we are establishing our systems and procedures for greater stability in the long term.<\/p>\n

We will discuss vision, budgets and other necessary items for long term planning. Of significant importance is what to do in the immediate future as space is our present facility is limited and our lease runs out at the end of 2018.<\/p>\n

Be sure to attend. Your contribution is important to help formulate where we are going and how to get there.<\/p>\n

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Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat<\/h2>\n

Please click image to view full-size.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ladies, Mark Your Calendar: Lenten Womens Retreat on Saturday, March 3, 2018<\/h2>\n
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The Lenten Retreat for women will be held at St. Peter’s on Saturday, March 3, 2018. The women from St. Paul’s will join us.<\/p>\n

The topic will be on the Theotokos as our teacher and guide. Fr. Hans and Fr. Paul Girgis will be the presenters. Details will be announced in a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

January<\/strong><\/p>\n