{"id":7985,"date":"2019-10-29T07:30:53","date_gmt":"2019-10-29T11:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7985"},"modified":"2019-10-29T07:30:53","modified_gmt":"2019-10-29T11:30:53","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-october-29-2019-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-october-29-2019-2\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter October 29, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
\nThe Fifth Sunday of Luke<\/h2>\n

Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas of Persia; Dedication of St. George Church in Lydda of Palestine; Hieromartyr George of Neapolis; Theodore the Confessor, bishop of Ancyra<\/h4>\n
\"Martyrs
Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas of Persia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who were the Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas of Persia?<\/h4>\n

Martyrs Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aethalas the Deacon of Persia were leaders of the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naesson. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work.<\/p>\n

The emperor Sapor ordered his men to seek out and kill Christian clergy. Saint Akepsimas also was arrested, even though he was already an eighty-year-old man. They took him to the city of Arbela, where he came before the judge Ardarkh, a pagan priest of the sun god. The holy Elder refused to offer sacrifice to the Persian gods. For this he was fiercely beaten and thrown into prison, where on the following day the seventy-year-old priest Joseph and the deacon Aethalas were severely beaten and thrown into jail with him. For three years the saints were held in confinement, and suffered from hunger and thirst.<\/p>\n

Emperor Sapor came to the temple of the god of fire, located not far from Arbela, and wanted to take a look at the three holy martyrs. Exhausted and covered with festering wounds, the saints were brought before the emperor. When he asked them to worship the pagan gods they firmly refused, confessing their faith in Christ instead.<\/p>\n

The holy bishop was beheaded, but the presbyter and deacon were taken into the city to be stoned.<\/p>\n

The execution of the presbyter Joseph was prolonged for several hours. A guard was placed near the place of execution, so that Christians would not take the body of the holy martyr. On the fourth night a strong windstorm raged near the city, lightning killed the guard, the wind tossed stones about, and the body of Saint Joseph disappeared.<\/p>\n

Deacon Aethalas was taken to the village of Patrias, where he was stoned. Christians secretly buried his body. A tree grew on the saint’s grave, and its fruit brought healings.<\/p>\n

Source: The Orthodox Church in America<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Sts. Kosmas and Dimianos (Sts. Cosmas and Damien) Divine Liturgy, Friday, November 1 at 9:30am (Sorry for the late notice)<\/h2>\n
\"Sts.
Sts. Kosmas and Damion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry for the late notice but St. Kosmas and Damien are healers in our parish. Their icon is included on our pillar of healing saints. God is glorified in his Saints and by venerating them and by holding liturgies on their feast days, we honor them and praise God. <\/p>\n

Divine Liturgy for Sts. Kosmas and Damianos will be held Friday, November 1 at 9:30am.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Community Luncheon on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 12:00pm<\/h2>\n

\"Community<\/p>\n

Please note the Community Luncheon is held on the second Thursday<\/strong> this month.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our next Community Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 14.<\/p>\n

Menu<\/strong>
\nMousaka
\nVegetable
\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

Please: Don’t sign up if you cannot attend. The food is prepared for the numbers who sign up.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Men: Join AMEN<\/h2>\n

\"Antiochian<\/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. Steve Breitenbach is our local president.<\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

St. Peter’s Men: <\/p>\n