{"id":7830,"date":"2019-07-30T05:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7830"},"modified":"2019-07-30T05:00:30","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T09:00:30","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-july-30-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-july-30-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter July 30, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

The Holy Seven Sleeping Youths of Ephesus; Recovery of the relics of Martyr Eudokia of Persia<\/h4>\n
\"The
The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who were The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus?<\/h4>\n

The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together.<\/p>\n

When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.<\/p>\n

Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/div>\n

Dormtion 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

<\/div>\n

Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 5, 6:30pm (Transfiguration Eve)<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on August 6. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis<\/em> of Christ on Mount Tabor, when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John.<\/p>\n

Biblical Story<\/h4>\n

The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9<\/a>, Mark 9:2-8<\/a>, and Luke 9:28-36<\/a>. Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white.<\/p>\n

Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ, talking to Him. Peter declared how good it was for them to be there and expressed the desire to build three booths for Moses, Elijah, and Christ. This reference to the booths could imply that this occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews would be camping out in the fields for the grape harvest; for this Feast had acquired other associations in the course of its history, including the memory of the wanderings in the wilderness recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus.<\/p>\n

While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces filled with awe. Jesus came to them and told them to not be afraid. When the three looked up they saw only Jesus.<\/p>\n

As Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain, He told them not to speak of what they had seen until He had risen from the dead.<\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

Pilgrimage to Panagia Vlaheron Monastery in Ocala FL. on Saturday August 10, 2019<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Join us for a Dormition Pilgrimage to the Panagia Vlaheron Monastery<\/a> on Saturday, October 10. <\/p>\n

The bus leaves St. Peter’s at 8:00am and returns at 9:00pm. The cost is $30 to pay for transportation. <\/p>\n

Please sign up on Sunday in the Social Hall following the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n

Visiting the monastery always entails a special blessing, although sometimes the blessing is not evident until two or three days later. It also introduces us to monastic life, and shows us how the monastic dimension of Orthodoxy strengthens the entire Church. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Steve Breitenbach New President of AMEN<\/h2>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Thank you to Steve Breitenbach who has taken leadership of St. Peter’s recently formed Antiochian Men (AMEN) group.<\/p>\n

AMEN is growing in the Miami Diocese, very fast actually, and there is a lot of good energy behind it. Fr. Hans has been appointed the Spiritual Advisor to the group by Bp. Nicholas.<\/p>\n

What will AMEN do? It will bring together the men of the parish for friendship, fellowship, and work.<\/p>\n

St. Peter’s Men: <\/p>\n