{"id":9058,"date":"2020-10-20T05:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T09:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=9058"},"modified":"2020-10-20T05:00:32","modified_gmt":"2020-10-20T09:00:32","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-october-20-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-october-20-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter October 20, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Sixth Sunday of Luke<\/h2>\n

Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries of Constantinople
\nMartyrs Valerios and Chrysaphios; Tabitha the Merciful, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter; relics translation of Venerable Sabbas the Sanctified and Venerable John of Beverly<\/h4>\n
\"Martyrs
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who Were The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries of Constantinople?<\/h4>\n

The Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor (November 6).<\/p>\n

Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The heretics attempted to entice Saints Marcian and Martyrius over to their side by flattery. They offered them gold and promised to consecrate them as archbishops, but all the efforts of the Arians were in vain.<\/p>\n

Then the impious threatened to slander them before the emperor, and sought to intimidate them with torture and death. But the saints steadfastly confessed Orthodoxy, as handed down by the Fathers of the Church. Marcian and Martyrius were sentenced to death. Before death, the martyrs prayed, “Lord God, Who has invisibly created our hearts, and directed all our deeds, accept with peace the souls of Your servants, since we perish for You and are considered as sheep for the slaughter (Ps 32\/33:15; 43\/44:22). We rejoice that by such a death we shall depart this life for Your Name. Grant us to be partakers of life eternal with You, the Source of life.” After their prayer the martyrs, with quiet rejoicing, bent their necks beneath the sword of the impious (+ ca. 335).<\/p>\n

Their holy bodies were reverently buried by Orthodox Christians. Later, by decree of Saint John Chrysostom, the relics of the holy martyrs were transferred to a church built in their honor. Believers here were healed of many infirmities through the prayers of the saints, to the glory of the One Life-Creating Trinity.<\/p>\n

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

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Liturgies This Week<\/h2>\n

Artemius the Great Martyr of Antioch, Tuesday October 20, 2020 at 9:30am<\/h4>\n
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\"Artemius
Artemius the Great Martyr of Antioch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor Constantine the Great (May 21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for the spreading and strengthening Christianity in Egypt.
\nSaint Artemius was sent by the emperor Constantius to bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from Patras, and the relics of the holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of Boeotia, to Constantinople. The holy relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation. The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt.<\/p>\n

The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore paganism was extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian Faith.<\/p>\n

During this time, Saint Artemius arrived in Antioch and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the saint to terrible tortures and threw the Great Martyr Artemius into prison. While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and said, “Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you shall be with Me in My Kingdom.” Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up glory and thanksgiving to Him.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Read the entire history on the Orthodox Christian<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Apostle James Brother of Our Lord, Friday, October 23, 2020 9:30am<\/h4>\n
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\"Apostles
Apostles James Brother of the Lord Jesus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Holy Apostle James, the Brother of God (Adelphotheos) was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). From his early years James was a Nazarene, a man especially dedicated to God. The Nazarenes vowed to preserve their virginity, to abstain from wine, to refrain from eating meat, and not to cut their hair. The vow of the Nazarenes symbolized a life of holiness and purity, commanded formerly by the Lord for all Israel. When the Savior began to teach the nation about the Kingdom of God, Saint James believed in Christ and became His apostle. He was chosen as the first Bishop of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

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

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Liturgies Next Week (October 25-13)<\/h2>\n

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh Streamer of Thessaloniki, Monday, October 26, 2020 9:30am<\/h4>\n
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\"St.
St. Demetrios<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Saint Demetrios suffered in Thessalonica during the reign of Galerius Maximian (c. 306). He belonged to one of the most distinguished families of the province of Macedonia and was widely admired not only because of his noble ancestry and grace of bearing, but also for virtue, wisdom and goodness of heart surpassing that of his elders.<\/p>\n

The military expertise of Saint Demetrios led Galerius, as Caesar of the Eastern Empire, to appoint him commander of the Roman forces in Thessaly and Proconsul for Hellas. But for all this, Demetrios remained ever aware of the underlying realities of life. Since faith in Christ had touched his heart, all the glory of this world meant nothing to him, and there was nothing he preferred to teaching and preaching the word of God.<\/p>\n

Despite the persecution directed against Christians by the Emperor, Saint Demetrios brought a large number of pagans to the faith. His words convinced them because they saw in the righteousness, peace and brotherly love that marked his life an illustration of the truth of which he spoke.<\/p>\n

Read about the martyrdom of St. Demetrios on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese<\/a> website.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Protection of the Theotokos, Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 9:30am<\/h4>\n
\"The
The Protection of the Theotokos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ’s sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint’s prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.<\/p>\n

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

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St. Peter’s Launches a Capital Campaign for a New Church<\/h2>\n

Watch for a special edition of St. Peter’s Newsletter this week for the last information on our Capital Campaign.<\/em><\/p>\n

IMPORTANT! PLEDGES ARE NEEDED BY NOVEMBER TO MAKE THE OFFER ON THE NEW PROPERTY<\/em><\/p>\n

Dear Saint Peter’s Parishioners. Thank you for getting your Capital Campaign Pledge cards in as soon as possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is imperative that we receive these funds and the pledge for future funds ASAP so that we can make an offer on this church property while it is still available. Please submit all Capital Campaign Pledges by November 1st. Thank you for supporting the Saint Peter’s Campaign for the Future.<\/em><\/p>\n

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St. Peter’s has outgrown their space and it is time for a church!<\/p>\n

Why has St. Peter’s grown? Why will it continue to grow? The main reason is that we have remained true to our founding vision: St. Peter’s is a church where one can encounter Christ and the place where those who seek Christ within our Orthodox faith can find their home.<\/p>\n

Throughout the past eight years that initial vision has been corroborated by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The people he has brought to us are the testimony and proof that the vision comes from Him. We are laborers in His vineyard and we rejoice and are grateful to God for the people He brought to us.<\/p>\n

It’s time to expand. Our work so far has been blessed but there is much more work to be done and to accomplish that we need a larger facility. That’s why we are embarking on the St. Peter Capital Campaign to raise the necessary funds to achieve our growth.<\/p>\n

Click the picture to learn more and how you can help.<\/p>\n

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Would You Be Interested in a ZOOM Discussion on the New Book “Live Not By Lies”?<\/h2>\n
\"Order<\/a>
Order from Amazon<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Live Not By Lies” is a new book by Orthodox Christian author Rod Dreher that takes a hard look at the direction our country is going and exhorts American Christians to take their calling to be Christian more seriously. It’s not a political book. Rather, it looks at the direction of American culture and how we must live given the cultural changes.<\/p>\n

The book is being widely read. Dreher interviews people from the formerly Eastern Bloc countries with special emphasis how they dealt with a government and society that was very hostile to Christianity. It includes a study guide that we would use in our discussions.<\/p>\n

Several parishioners have expressed interest in forming a book reading group to study this book. Given that we still have Covid restrictions that affect many of our parishioners, we could hold the discussion online via ZOOM beginning in November, probably on Wednesday evenings for an hour. <\/p>\n

If you are interested please RSVP to Fr. Hans via text (239-248-4775) or Nancy Forderhase via text (859-749-9509) or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com<\/a>. If enough people are interested (minimum would be eight to ten people), we will organize it.<\/p>\n

Please include your email address with the RSVP.<\/p>\n

You can read more about the book “Live Not By Lies” on Amazon.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Starting a Lending Library of Orthodox Books<\/h2>\n
\n\"Orthodox\n<\/div>\n

Update:<\/strong> Our catalog of books is growing. If you have any Orthodox books to donate, please bring them to church.<\/em><\/p>\n

We are starting a lending library of Orthodox books at St. Peter’s. Nancy Forderhase has graciously consented to lead this project. If you have any Orthodox books on your shelves, consider donating them to the library!<\/p>\n

How does it work? You borrow the book, read it, and bring it back. Simple!<\/p>\n

We will be selective about the books in the library. They must be Orthodox related and trustworthy and reliable scholarship. The library won’t contain off-topic or unreliable material.<\/p>\n

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Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Continue<\/h2>\n

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Assignment this week: Chapters 3 and 4.<\/em><\/p>\n

The class is required for seekers and catechumens and also open to any parishioner who would like to attend. The syllabus will be posted on the website at soon as it is completed and handed out the first day of class.<\/p>\n

We will meet after social hall. Get some coffee, have some food and fellowship, and then we break for class.<\/p>\n

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Byzantine Chant Workshop – Weekly on Tuesday at 7:00pm at St. Paul’s<\/h2>\n
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\"Byzantine<\/p>\n

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Led by Dn. Nicholas Reid, 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

Questions? Contact Dn. Nick (nick.reid.11@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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

Donations received in September $13,296.00
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
\nWe are behind by $4,871.00<\/p>\n

Please note:<\/strong>Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream<\/h2>\n

These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website<\/a> on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

OCTOBER<\/strong><\/p>\n