{"id":7902,"date":"2019-09-10T05:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T09:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7902"},"modified":"2019-09-10T05:00:01","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T09:00:01","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-september-10-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-september-10-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter September 10, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday After the Elevation of the Holy Cross<\/h2>\n

Great-Martyr Nikitas the Goth and those with him; Martyr Porphyrios the Mime; Vissarion, Bishop of Larisa; New-Martyr John of Crete; Joseph the New of Partosh<\/h4>\n
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St. Nikita the Goth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who is the Great Martyr Nikitas the Goth?<\/h2>\n

Saint Nikitas was a warrior who lived with the Gothic tribes on the eastern side of the Danube River within the boundaries of present-day Romania. He was a convert to Christianity of the Gothic Bishop Theophilus, a well-known enlightener of the Goths, who also had baptized Nikitas.<\/p>\n

At the time there was internecine warfare among the Goths, in particular between Prince Athanarichus, who hated Christians, and Frigentus who revenged a defeat by Athanarichus with the help of Arian emperor Valens, forcing Athanarichus into exile. After Frigentus’ victory the Christian Goths enjoyed a period of peace during which Bishop Hierarch Urphilus, successor to Bp. Theophilus, created the Gothic alphabet and translated many spiritual books from Greek into Gothic. St. Nikitas participated during these time by his preaching the Gospel while living a pious life, which greatly aided the confirmation of the Christian faith among the Goths.<\/p>\n

However, after a few years, Athanarichus returned to his homeland with a large army and warfare among the Goths started again. As part of his actions, Athanarichus raised a fierce persecution against the Christians. Nikitas, who had become a spiritual leader among the Christian Goths, denounced Athanarichus for godlessness and cruelty. He called on the faithful to be firm and not to fear martyrdom. Athanarichus soon had Nikitas seized.<\/p>\n

Nikitas was then given over to cruel tortures and, finally, was thrown into a fire where he died on September 15, 372. A friend of Nikitas, a Christian named Marianus, found his remains during the night and transferred them to Cilicia. Since then, miracles and cures have occurred before the relics of the holy Martyr Nikitas. A particle of his relics is held in the monastery of Vysokie Dechany in Serbia.<\/p>\n

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

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Our Condolences to Bess and Jim Hord<\/h2>\n

Our Condolences to Bess and Jim Hord on the passing of Bess’ brother Anastasios last week. May his memory be eternal. Bess will return to Naples later this week.<\/p>\n

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Community Luncheon on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 12:00pm<\/h2>\n

\"Community<\/p>\n

Our next Community Luncheon will be held on Thursday, September 12.<\/p>\n

Menu<\/strong>
\nStuffed Baked Tomato
\nGreek Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
\nDessert<\/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

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Elevation of the Holy Cross Divine Liturgy, Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 9:30am<\/h2>\n

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Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. <\/p>\n

The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, “Lord have mercy.” <\/p>\n

It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.<\/p>\n

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We Need Some People to Help Barbara Dusckas Move<\/h2>\n

Barbara is moving and could use some help packing and a few other things. Here is the schedule:<\/p>\n