{"id":6411,"date":"2018-01-09T03:54:08","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T08:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6411"},"modified":"2018-01-09T03:54:08","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T08:54:08","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-january-9-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-january-9-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter January 9, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday after the Theophany of Christ<\/h2>\n

Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu; Virgin-martyr Agnes; Venerable Theodoulos, son of Neilos the Wise of Sinai; Nina, equal-to-the-Apostles and enlightener of Georgia; Sabbas, first archbishop of Serbia<\/h4>\n

Who Were the Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu?<\/h4>\n
\n\"The<\/p>\n

The Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Holy Monastic Fathers Slain at Sinai and Raithu. There were two occasions when the monks and hermits were murdered by the barbarians. The first took place in the fourth century when forty Fathers were killed at Mt. Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raithu on the same day.<\/p>\n

The second massacres occurred nearly a hundred years later, and was also recorded by an eyewitness who miraculously escaped: Saint Nilus the Faster (November 12). The Arabs permitted some of the monks run for their lives. They crossed the valley and climbed up a mountain. From this vantage point, they saw the bedouin kill the monks and ransack their cells.<\/p>\n

The Sinai and Raithu ascetics lived a particularly strict life: they spent the whole week at prayer in their cells. On Saturday they gathered for the all-night Vigil, and on Sunday they received the Holy Mysteries. Their only food was dates and water. Many of the ascetics of the desert were glorified by the gift of wonderworking: the Elders Moses, Joseph and others. Mentioned in the service to these monastic Fathers are: Isaiah, Sava, Moses and his disciple Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, Adam, Sergius, Domnus, Proclus, Hypatius, Isaac, Macarius, Mark, Benjamin, Eusebius and Elias.<\/p>\n

Read the entire article on the Mystagogy<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

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
\n\"House\n<\/div>\n

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

 <\/div>\n

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

Interfaith Charities Needs Our Help!<\/h2>\n
\n\"Interfaith\n<\/div>\n

Interfaith Charities has asked us to help supply:<\/p>\n