{"id":7815,"date":"2019-07-23T05:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-07-23T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7815"},"modified":"2019-07-23T05:00:30","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T09:00:30","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-july-23-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-july-23-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter July 23, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
\nThe Sixth Sunday of Matthew<\/h2>\n

Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas,Deacons and Apostles of the Seventy; Venerable Paul, founder of Xeropotamou and St. Paul monasteries on Athos; Venerable Irene Chrysovalantou; Pitirim, Bishop of Tambov<\/h4>\n
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Sts. Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who were Sts. Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas?<\/h4>\n

Saints Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas, Apostles of the Seventy were among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.<\/p>\n

In the Acts of the Holy Apostles (6:1-6) it is said that the twelve Apostles chose seven men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and appointed them to serve as deacons.<\/p>\n

They are commemorated together on July 28, although they died at various times and in various places.<\/p>\n

At first, St Prochorus accompanied the holy Apostle Peter, who made him bishop in the city of Nicomedia. After the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Prochorus was a companion and coworker of the holy Apostle John the Theologian and was banished with him to the island of Patmos. There he wrote down the Book of Revelation concerning the final fate of the world. Upon returning to Nicomedia, St Prochorus converted pagans to Christ in the city of Antioch, where he suffered martyrdom.<\/p>\n

Source: Antiochian Archdiocese<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

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Tuition for Young Organist Mihail Strezev<\/h2>\n
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Mihail Strezev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many of you know Mihail (we call him Michael). You see him coming into church late on Sundays. He comes late because he makes his living playing the organ for other churches on Sundays. On weekday liturgies you see him come in on time.<\/p>\n

Mihail has a very interesting story that you can read on his God Fund Me page<\/a>. He won the Green Card Lottery in his home country of Moldavia, came to Naples, was invited to play a new organ at a concert and it turned out one of the American Grand Master organ players heard his playing and invited him to attend the Eastman School of Music to become his student.<\/p>\n

Mihail found St. Peter’s through Jeremiah and Irina. They were having coffee one day and bumped into Mihail. He was struggling a bit (a stranger in a strange land at the time) and invited him to St. Peter’s. He came and has been a member of our congregation ever since. He comes from an Orthodox family and his devout mother probably thanks the Lord every day he found St. Peter’s.<\/p>\n

Mihail is raising money for his tuition. Tuition each year for his two year program costs $39,000. He received a $22,000 scholarship. He also needs to raise another $15,000 for living expenses for the year although he is going to try and make it on $10,000. This leaves $27,000 yet to be raised. If he does well the first year, his second year will be paid. This shows that Eastman definitely sees he has talent.<\/p>\n

It’s remarkable for us to witness as well. It takes a lot of courage and fortitude to come into a strange country and move forward to establish your talents and gifts. It shows America is still a place of opportunity for those who have the resolve and discipline to make something of themselves. Mihail is one of those people. <\/p>\n

We need to pray that somehow Mihail’s goal of raising the money will be reached somehow. Prayer works, but we have to do our part as well, just as Mihail is doing his. If you can help please do. If you know of others resources please let Mihail know about that too. You can help him on his Go Fund Me page<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Click the image below to hear him play. <\/p>\n

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Dormition Fast and Akathist Hymns begin (August 1-15, 2018)<\/h2>\n
\"Dormition
Dormition of the Theotokos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 1 starts the Dormition period in our Orthodox Church. We fast (abstain from meat and dairy as much as possible) from August 1 to August 15. At St. Peter’s the fast ends after the Dormition Liturgy on the evening of August 14.<\/p>\n

Most weekdays we will sing an Akathist to the Theotokos starting at 6:00pm. These are very powerful prayers and you will notice a focusing in your life if you participate in them.<\/p>\n

On the evening of August 14, 2018 we will celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos with a Divine Liturgy at 6:30pm.<\/p>\n

What is the Dormition of the Theotokos?<\/h4>\n

The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home.<\/p>\n

Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed.<\/p>\n

At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven.<\/p>\n

Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles.<\/p>\n

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Pledge Report – July 2019<\/h2>\n

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

In June we took in $9741.00 in total donations. Our monthly goal is $16777.00 leaving us $7036.00 short for June.<\/p>\n

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

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Bible Studies<\/h2>\n

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

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Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

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