{"id":8818,"date":"2020-08-04T05:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=8818"},"modified":"2020-08-04T05:00:02","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T09:00:02","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-august-4-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-august-4-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter August 4, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
\nThe Ninth Sunday of Matthew
\nThe After-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ <\/h2>\n

Apostle Matthias
Translation of the relics of Venerable Herman of Alaska,
\nWonderworker of America<\/h4>\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 August 15.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday\u00a0 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

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 6, 9:30am<\/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

St. Peter Launches New Ministry to Help the Poor<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Helping the poor is a necessary obligation to our neighbors and thus to God. He who loves his brother loves God, St. John tells us in his first epistle (see 1 John 1).<\/p>\n

For the last four months we have working with Cafe of Life in Bonita Springs<\/a> to make over one hundred sandwiches for the local poor once a month. They serve needy families who don’t have food on the weekends.<\/p>\n

The first six months of the project has been underwritten by an anonymous donor. It costs nearly $200 to buy the bread, lunch meat, and cheese to make the sandwiches. Volunteers from the parish make them. They are distributed during the weekend by Cafe of Life. <\/p>\n

We have two months left on the original donation, and already three donors have stepped up for the following three months. Helping the poor is a great way to bless God (yes, God blesses us but we also bless God — read the Psalms), because the poor are always close to God’s heart. <\/p>\n

You might consider a donation to remember the memory of a loved one who has passed away. It brings honor to them through your help of the poor.<\/p>\n

For more information, to sponsor a month, or to help make the sandwiches, please contact Julia Grekos or Pasraskeve Morakeas. This ministry is in addition to our help with Interfaith Charities<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Helping<\/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

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

Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

AUGUST<\/strong><\/p>\n

August 1-15 Dormition Fasting Period<\/p>\n