{"id":7339,"date":"2018-12-31T12:56:27","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T17:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7339"},"modified":"2018-12-31T12:56:27","modified_gmt":"2018-12-31T17:56:27","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-december-31-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-december-31-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter December 31, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!<\/h2>\n

Theophany – The Baptism of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Theophany (or Epiphany) means shining forth or manifestation. The feast is often called, as it is in the Orthodox service books, Theophany, which means the shining forth and manifestation of God. The emphasis in the present day celebration is on the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

Thus, in the baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus identifies himself with sinners as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), the “Beloved” of the Father whose messianic task it is to redeem men from their sins (Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35). And he is revealed as well as One of the Divine Trinity, testified to by the voice of the Father, and by the Spirit in the form of a dove. This is the central epiphany glorified in the main hymns of the feast:<\/p>\n

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee his Beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of his Word. O Christ our God, who hast revealed Thyself and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee (Troparion).<\/p>\n

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

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Blessing of the Water Following Divine Liturgy on Theophany on January 6, 2019<\/h2>\n

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After Theophany Liturgy next Sunday (January 6), we will break for ten of fifteen minutes in the Social Hall for coffee and a donut (no regular social hall next Sunday) and then to Riverside Park and do an outdoor blessing of the waters at the Imperial River in Riverside Park.<\/p>\n

The park is 3 miles south on Old 41 where the bandshell is located (get directions<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Why do the Orthodox bless the waters? Read about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Feasts of Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil the Great on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 9:30am.<\/h2>\n
\"St.
St. Basil the Great of Cappadocia (329\u2013379)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saint Basil was born in the year 330 at Caesarea, the administrative center of Cappadocia. He was of illustrious lineage, famed for its eminence and wealth, and zealous for the Christian Faith. The saint’s grandfather and grandmother on his father’s side had to hide in the forests of Pontus for seven years during the persecution under Diocletian.<\/p>\n

Saint Basil’s mother Saint Emilia was the daughter of a martyr. On the Greek calendar, she is commemorated on May 30. Saint Basil’s father was also named Basil. He was a lawyer and renowned rhetorician, and lived at Caesarea.<\/p>\n

Ten children were born to the elder Basil and Emilia: five sons and five daughters. Five of them were later numbered among the saints: Basil the Great; Macrina (July 19) was an exemplar of ascetic life, and exerted strong influence on the life and character of Saint Basil the Great; Gregory, afterwards Bishop of Nyssa (January 10); Peter, Bishop of Sebaste (January 9); and Theosebia, a deaconess (January 10).<\/p>\n

Saint Basil spent the first years of his life on an estate belonging to his parents at the River Iris, where he was raised under the supervision of his mother Emilia and grandmother Macrina. They were women of great refinement, who remembered an earlier bishop of Cappadocia, Saint Gregory the Wonderworker (November 17). Basil received his initial education under the supervision of his father, and then he studied under the finest teachers in Caesarea of Cappadocia, and it was here that he made the acquaintance of Saint Gregory the Theologian (January 25 and January 30). Later, Basil transferred to a school at Constantinople, where he listened to eminent orators and philosophers. To complete his education Saint Basil went to Athens, the center of classical enlightenment.<\/p>\n

Read the entire history on the St. Peter’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

St. Peter’s Community Lucheon on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 12:00pm<\/h2>\n

\"Community<\/p>\n

Menu<\/strong>
\nChicken Pilaf made with Whole Wheat Orzo
\nGreek Salad with Feta Cheese
\nKalamata Olives
\nBread, Dessert, Beverage<\/p>\n

You are invited to join your St. Peter’s friends for lunch and fellowship at 12 noon on Thursday, January 3, at 12:00pm. <\/p>\n

Barbara Dionysopoulos and friends are preparing a delicious meal for all our members. Come and join us to enjoy some good food and the company of your friends. Make some new friends too and get to know other parishioners.<\/p>\n

Reservations are required!<\/em> Please call Barbara at 239-826-1655 or sign up in the Social Hall after Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n

The cost is $5 per person.<\/p>\n

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New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 12, 2019 for a New Years lamb and chicken dinner! This will be good!<\/h2>\n

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At St. Peter’s we are always a bit late ringing in the New Year. So, in keeping with that tradition join us on Saturday, January 12, 2019 starting at 5:00pm for the roasting of a lamb on a spit along with grilled chicken. <\/p>\n

The lamb and chicken are provided but please bring one of the following if you can:<\/p>\n