By the Way it Was Raining

There are 4 icons that contain Saint Peter in the Orthodox Christian Church of the Annunciation in Brick, N.J. that I have been attending . Since the first service that I attended back on April 14th of this year I have been carefully observing the icons throughout the church. The 4 icons that I make mention of show the following in regards to Saint Peter. The first is that of Saint Peter and Saint Paul holding between them a church building. The message contain is rather obvious, however in this icon, Saint Peter is shown with his right arm passing through his robe. Part of the material of his robe is draped around his neck and hangs down to about the height of his stomach with his arm passing through, giving the appearance somewhat of his arm "in a sling." Hmm... unusual ? Don't know. But wait there is more.
The second icon is of the Ascension of Our Lord, and there is Saint Peter again, with his arm in the same position, passing through his robe in the aforementioned "sling" manner. The 3rd icon that contains Saint Peter, is a Pentecost Icon, Saint Peter again arm through the robe, and he is shown the same way in the 4th icon which is of the Lord's Supper. The icon pictured above is in appearance close (if not the same) to the Pentecost Icon in the church that I mentioned, a close examination shows Saint Peter (top left center) as I have mentioned.

Does anyone know the significance of his arm in this position?

Nothing like starting a blog with a question now is there!

What a week, last week was!

My week started off with attending Vesper's on Saturday night 5/19 (that is when the Orthodox week starts, is it not?) Followed by attending Divine Liturgy on Sunday. I also attended the Agape Coffee Hour and got to meet some of the church family. A great time of fellowship and sharing. On Tuesday my lovely and talented wife Judy treated me to dinner in celebration of my Birthday (58th, but I don't look a day past 55!) at a Colombian and Mexican Restaurant that is a favorite of ours. Wednesday brought about Vespers with Litya ( a first for me, Feast of the Ascension ). Thursday Divine Liturgy (Feast of the Ascension) again followed by an Agape Coffee Hour, my buddy Jim V. attended the Divine Liturgy, but could not stay for the Coffee Hour, you can read his story about the day here at : http://orthodoxyorbust.blogspot.com/
Plus you can see a pic of my much mentioned motorcycle, that alone is worth a look at his blog! LOL!!
Friday I spent the afternoon working on my friend Bob's motorcycle, putting it back together, and making some upgrades. Bob had a bad accident which caused some front end damage, he was unhurt, which is the important thing. A motorcycle is only a thing. (Can't believe I just said that, my how I have grown!)
Saturday, Vespers again followed by Divine Liturgy and Agape Coffee hour on Sunday.

I have been blessed to have been engaged at church in several conversation with Reader John along with his wife the legendary Tammy. (she hates when I call her that, perhaps someday I'll stop.) Reader John showed me his copy of " The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox ".  The following summary about the book I copied from a web site: " Based on the sequence of daily scriptural readings (NKJV) from the liturgical calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church, The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox: Daily Scripture Readings and Commentary for Orthodox Christians includes comments from the church fathers on each Epistle and Gospel passage. There also are many sections of the Old Testament to support the church lectionary for major feast days, Great Lent, and Holy Week. Additionally, writings from contemporary Orthodox theologians and scholars are included."  I have added to this to my list and expect to purchase it soon. I was really impressed by it.
Reader John also asked me if I ever listened to the podcasts "Postcards from Greece" by Fr. Peter Alban Heers on Ancient Faith Radio : ( http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/postcards ) I told him that, though I have been listening to AFR for a while now, I have not listened to "Postcards from Greece".  He suggested that  I listen to the podcast titled : "Sunday of the Healing of the Blind Man". I  listened to it and I am so glad I did, what a wonderful message! ( I am now a fan of Postcards from Greece!) By the way Ancient Faith Radio on the web is at the top of my daily "Things to Do List ", just absolutely wonderful messages and devotions and has helped me quite a bit to understand Orthodoxy.

" Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  " - John 14: 27 

Hey! I almost forgot! I met the "Harley Lady's" husband this Sunday! He yelled across the parking lot as I pulled in on the bike, " Is that your Harley? " I replied, " It better be or I am in trouble!"
We talked a bit, he liked the bike and since I was wearing a Harley Rain Suit, Harley boots, Harley helmet and Harley gloves, I guess he was glad he still owned stock in Harley Davidson!

I got a chance to talk to him at the end of the Coffee Hour also, it was then that I noticed he was wearing a necktie that had a "Boston Red Sox" logo on it (the infamous letter "B"). As a Christian (and a NY Yankees fan), I took it as a test of my spiritual walk : Matthew 5: 43 - 48 ( by the way it was raining!)