{"id":8772,"date":"2020-07-14T05:00:44","date_gmt":"2020-07-14T09:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=8772"},"modified":"2020-07-14T05:00:44","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T09:00:44","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-july-14-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-july-14-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter July 14, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Venerable Macrina, sister of Basil the Great; Venerable Dios of Antioch; Theodore, archbishop of Edessa; Uncovering of the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov; Holy Stephen Lazarevic, Serbian Prince and Holy Militsa his mother<\/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. Vladimir Equal to the Apostles Divine Liturgy on Wednesday July 15, 2020 at 9:30am<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Prince Vladimir was the son of Prince Svyatoslav and Malusha, the Princess of the Drevlyany people. He was raised by his mother’s brother Dobrynya, who was a pagan. In 972 Vladimir became the ruler of Novgorod. In 980, when the war between brothers was at its highest point, Vladimir started hostilities against Kiev, ruled at the time by his brother Yaropolk. <\/p>\n

    He had 5 wives and numerous concubines. He installed idols on the Kiev Mountains with human sacrifices being brought to them. It was at that this time that Variagians Feodor and Ioann died for being faithful to the Lord. The death of these martyrs impressed Vladimir so much that he began to doubt pagan beliefs.<\/p>\n

    Vladimir invited missionaries from many countries to come to Kiev: Moslem Bulgarians who lived beyond the Volga river, German Latins, Jews and Greeks. The prince asked them about their creeds, and each of the visitors offered him his own belief. It was the Greek preacher who impressed Vladimir most of all. At the end of their conversation, the preacher described the day of the Lord’s judgment. <\/p>\n

    Upon counseling with his boyars, Vladimir sent 10 wise men to find out whose faith was better. When the Russian envoys arrived in Constantinople they were impressed to the depth of their souls by the splendor of the Holy Wisdom Cathedral, the harmonious singing of the royal choir and the grandeur of the service conducted by the Patriarch. “We were not even aware if we were on the earth or in heaven,” they related to Vladimir while recounting their impressions.<\/p>\n

    Read the entire history on the Fr. Alexander website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Baby Shower for the Andrews Family on Sunday July 19, 2020 after the Divine Liturgy<\/h2>\n

    Have you noticed the new families coming to St. Peter’s? We know that St. Peter’s is to become a Church where those who are seeking Christ in the fullness of the Orthodox Church. This is our vision and it is happening. <\/p>\n

    We have two new families that includes three more young children (and two more when Moriah and Lillie have their babies) attending our parish. Glory to God for all things!<\/p>\n

    One couple, Jason and Moriah Andrews, are expecting a child soon and we are throwing a shower! See the details below.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Please sign up in the Narthex or RSVP to Lillie Riccioli.<\/p>\n

    Please note: Jason and Moriah won’t be using disposable diapers so please don’t buy any.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    July 2020 Summer Appeal<\/h2>\n

    Giving tends to slow down in the summer but unfortunately our obligations don’t. There is still rent, electricity, and other necessities that we have to pay. <\/p>\n

    The letter below was sent to all parishioners as a gentle reminder to remain current on their pledges and giving. That we we stay in the black and remain on a sound financial footing. <\/p>\n

    Please stay current on your pledge and giving to help keep St. Peter’s strong.<\/p>\n

    Click the image to see letter on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

     <\/div>\n

    St. Peter LIVE STREAM To Get An Upgrade<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Thanks to parishioners who responded to a request for better LIVE STREAM equipment, you will soon be seeing an improvement in our live streaming. We’ve purchased a camera, software the improves image quality, and will soon be adding improvements for the sound.<\/p>\n

    We began this Sunday and although there were a few glitches (the rain on our metal roof was one of them), the overall quality was better. It will take us a few weeks to work out the bugs and set up the equipment that uses all of its capabilities in proper way.<\/p>\n

    What do we need from our viewers? Your patience and your comments. Let us know what works and what doesn’t. You can comment directly on the live stream If you are using Facebook. Remember that the LIVE STREAM is also simulcast on the St. Peter website.<\/p>\n

    Thank you to our parishioners who made this upgrade possible!<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Theo Palis Moving<\/h2>\n

    Theo Palis is moving today (Tuesday) to The American House Coconut Point<\/a> in Estero.<\/p>\n

    His new address is:<\/p>\n

    Theo Palis
    \nThe American
    \n8460 Murano Del Lago Dr Room 2310
    \nBonita Springs, FL 34135<\/p>\n

    He will be there for at least a few months.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Pledge & Income Report – June 2020<\/h2>\n

    Donations received in June: $15,642.00
    \nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
    \nWe are ahead by $2,300.00
    \nShortfall: $2,525.00<\/p>\n

    Please note:<\/strong> We are running a deficit for the month of June. Donations are also down significantly for the month of July. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    St. Peter Orthodox Church
    \n24850 Old 41 Road Suite 6
    \nBonita Springs, FL 34135<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    You can also donate online (scroll to bottom of page):<\/p>\n

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

     <\/div>\n

    More on the Corona Virus and Church Protocols<\/h2>\n

    \"St.<\/p>\n

    St. Peter’s is following the State of Florida recommendations on reopening. This works out about 40 worshipers attending every Sunday. Masks are recommended but not required. <\/p>\n

    Clearly there are some parishioners, particularly those in the high risk categories, who do not feel safe going into public areas until the virus threat has passed completely. No one really knows when safety can be universally assured and it may take a while, perhaps six months or more before we get there. We see this in many of our parishes.<\/p>\n

    We want to accommodate the needs of all parishioners. A one size fits all approach however is going to restrict attendance at church for both low risk and high risk parishioners. <\/p>\n

    One way to resolve this problem is to provide liturgy during the week that meet all the requirements that high risk parishioners request. This includes providing adequate social distancing which would be six feet between families and an empty row between seated rows. Wearing masks is again optional but highly recommended according to Florida State Guidelines. Weekday attendance is lower and the social distancing requirement is easier to implement.<\/p>\n

    This is not a perfect solution but it is workable and accommodates the needs of most parishioners. Since most of our high risk parishioners are retired, attending a weekday liturgy is feasible. Our low risk parishioners work during the week and are not able to attend. <\/p>\n

    As is our practice, hand sanitizer and extra masks are available at the Church entrance. We will continue to live stream all liturgies as well.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    NEW* Byzantine Chant Workshop Tuesdays a 7:00 Weekly — Beginning on Tuesday, June 30, 2020<\/h2>\n
     <\/div>\n

    \"Byzantine<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Led by Dn. Nicholas Reid of St. Paul Orthodox Church, participants will learn the basics of the tone of the week — its characteristics, scale, and various forms — and will get a chance to participate in group practice.<\/p>\n

    No prior chanting experience is required. <\/p>\n

    This will also be an opportunity to deepen our Orthodox faith by better understanding the role each tone plays in liturgical worship so that we can apply them more fruitfully in our parish life as well as in the worship of the “Little Church” – our own homes.<\/p>\n

    All lessons will be held at St. Paul Orthodox Church in Naples (get directions<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

    July<\/strong><\/p>\n