{"id":6512,"date":"2018-02-13T18:30:11","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T23:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6512"},"modified":"2018-02-13T18:30:11","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T23:30:11","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-february-13-2018-sunday-of-forgiveness-expulsion-of-adam-and-eve-from-the-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-february-13-2018-sunday-of-forgiveness-expulsion-of-adam-and-eve-from-the-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter February 13, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leo the Great, pope of Rome; Agapitos the Confessor, bishop of Synnada in Phrygia;
\nVenerable Colman, bishop of Lindisfarne<\/h4>\n
\"\"
The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sunday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent, has two themes: it commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it accentuates our need for forgiveness. There are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the threshold of Great Lent.<\/p>\n

One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise. Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Paradise to us once more (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into Paradise.<\/p>\n

The second theme, that of forgiveness, is emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6:14-21) and in the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of the Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. <\/p>\n

A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us from others, but should link us to them with ever-stronger bonds.<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Forgiveness Vespers, Sunday, February 15, 5:30pm<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Sunday of Forgiveness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forgiveness Vespers, the service before Great Lent starts on Monday, is the time where we ask each other for forgiveness for any offense of disrespect we might have committed toward each other.<\/p>\n

This is a service of renewal and the proper way to enter the Lenten Cycle.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Saturday of the Souls Liturgy – Saturday, February 24, 2017<\/h2>\n

Our Saturday of the Souls liturgy will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2017 starting at 9:00am.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Saturday of Souls is a day set aside for commemoration of the dead within the liturgical year of the Orthodox Church. Saturday is a traditional day for prayer for the dead, because Christ lay dead in the Tomb on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Bring kollyva (boiled wheat) if you can but even if you can’t bring the names of your deceased loved ones anyway. We will hold a memorial service for them after the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n

NAMI Walkathon on February 17, 2018<\/h2>\n
\"Join<\/div>\n

Every year St. Peter’s joins the NAMI walk organized by Bill and Mary Copeland.<\/p>\n

Registration starts at 8-9am, at Cambria Park, Naples, FL. The walk starts at 9:30am.<\/p>\n

There are refreshments before and after the walk provided for free. There will be fun for all age groups to participate in before and after.<\/p>\n

Let Mary Copeland know if you want to join our team.<\/p>\n

Learn more about NAMI here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

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

\"Interfaith<\/p>\n

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