{"id":7781,"date":"2019-07-09T04:55:57","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T08:55:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7781"},"modified":"2019-07-09T04:55:57","modified_gmt":"2019-07-09T08:55:57","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-july-8-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-july-8-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter July 9, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Fourth Ecumenical Council<\/h2>\n

Apostle Aquila of the Seventy; Joseph the Confessor, archbishop of Thessalonica; Peter, Bishop of Crete; Venerable Onesimos of Magnesia and Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Held in Chalcedon, near Constantinople, 451. Under Emperor Marcian. 630 Bishops were present.<\/p>\n

Monophysite Controversy <\/h4>\n

The Council was concerned, once again, with the nature of Jesus Christ. The teaching arose that Christ’s human nature (less perfect) dissolved itself in His divine nature (more perfect): like a cube of sugar in a post of water. Thus, in reality, Christ had only one nature, the Divine. Hence, the term: Monophysites (“mono”, one and “physis”, “nature”.) Monophysitism overemphasized the divine nature of Christ, at the expense of the human.<\/p>\n

Proclamation<\/h4>\n

The Council condemned Monophysitism and proclaimed that Christ has two complete natures: the divine and the human, as defined by previous Councils. These two natures function without confusion, are not divided nor separate (against Nestorius), and at no time did they undergo any change (against Eutyches: Monophysites).<\/p>\n

History of the Ecumenical Councils<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. The First Council, of the 318 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius, who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father; the Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning; <\/li>\n
  2. The Second Council, of the 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 to condemn Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit; <\/li>\n
  3. The Third Council, of the 200 Fathers who assembled in Ephesus in 431, to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate; <\/li>\n
  4. The Fourth Council, of the 630 who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches; <\/li>\n
  5. The Fifth Council in 553, of the 165 who assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius; <\/li>\n
  6. The Sixth Council in 680, of the 170 who assembled in Constantinople for the third time, to condemn the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine; <\/li>\n
  7. The Seventh Council in 787, of the 350 who assembled in Nicaea for the second time to condemn Iconoclasm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Read the entire history on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    St. Paisios Liturgy, Friday, July 12, 2018 at 9:30am<\/h2>\n

    \"St.<\/p>\n

    A Divine Liturgy commemorating St. Paisios of Mt. Athos (the same St. Paisios who has performed miracles in our parish) will be held on Friday, July 12 at 9:30am.<\/p>\n

    Who Is St. Paisios?<\/h4>\n

    Our venerable and God-bearing Father Paisios of Mount Athos or Paisios the New, of the Holy Mountain (July 25, 1924 – July 12, 1994), also known as Elder Paisios, was a monastic of Mount Athos. An ascetic, he was known by his visitors for his gentle manner and acceptance of those who came to receive his advice, counsel, and blessing. His words of counsel continue to be published. [1] Elder Paisios was canonized on January 13, 2015, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.[1][2] The Church commemorates St. Paisios on July 12.<\/p>\n

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

    <\/div>\n

    Fr. Hans Our Town Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, 2018<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    He will be attending the Antiochian Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Summers are Rough, St. Peter’s Needs Your Help<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Summers are always a difficult time to pay our bills. Parishioners are up north, others are on vacation, and the real financial needs bubble up.<\/p>\n

    If we can’t make our monthly goals, the money has to come from somewhere else. Usually it’s a reserve like the building fund. We don’t want to do that but there is no other choice. The bills have to be paid.<\/p>\n

    The Parish Council recently send a out a letter explaining our situation. Please read it and respond at your earliest convenience. <\/p>\n

    The first five months have been good. Now we are falling behind. We respectfully ask everyone to remain current on their pledge, give more if you can, and help us keep St. Peter’s in the black.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    St. Peter’s Community Luncheon Moved to Thursday, July 19, 2019 at 12:00pm<\/h2>\n

    \"Community<\/p>\n

    PLEASE NOTE<\/strong>: The Community Luncheon originally scheduled for this week has been moved to next week — Thursday, July 18, 2019.<\/p>\n

    Menu<\/strong>
    \nBaked Tomato Stuffed with Whole Wheat Orzo
    \nPotato
    \nGreek Salad with Feta Cheese and Kalamata Olives
    \nBread, Dessert, Beverage<\/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

    Donations are accepted. Proceeds benefit the building fund.<\/p>\n

    Would like to sponsor a lunch? Please see Barbara Dionysopoulos.<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Bp. Nicholas Outlines the Vision of the Newly Formed AMEN Group<\/h2>\n

    Antiochian Men (AMEN), the new men’s group formed by Bp. Nicholas is off to a strong start. Recently Bp. Nicholas offered a short interview explaining his vision for AMEN. Click to view the video.<\/p>\n

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

    <\/div>\n

    Pledge Report – June 2019<\/h2>\n

    \"Pledge<\/p>\n

    In order to meet our operating Budget goal for 2019 we need to take in $16,777.00 each month.<\/p>\n

    We are $4,400.00 short of our goal for May.<\/p>\n

    Please pledge in order to meet our goal. Pledge forms are available on the table in the narthex.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Icons Available in the Social Hall<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    St. Peter’s has a large selection of Icons available for sale and donation. They come in various sizes — mini, small, medium and large. <\/p>\n

    The Icons are generously donated by Theo Palis and therefore all proceeds go directly to St. Peter’s.<\/p>\n

    If there is a specific icon you are looking for and we don’t have it, Theo might be able to make it for you.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Bible Studies<\/h2>\n
    \n\"Bible\n<\/div>\n

    Bible Studies have been cancelled for the summer. We will resume in September.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

    JULY<\/strong><\/p>\n