Category Archives: Church

In our church

10 years in the new church

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On February 26, 2024, on the day of St. Simeon Mirotocivi, it will be 10 years since moving into the new church.

“Nothing in life is accidental. Here, on Cheesefare Week, you moved to the new church – on the day when we remember Adam’s expulsion from Paradise with the hope that one day we will return there again.

You showed your faith when you built this church and won a reward both on Earth and in Heaven. But you should not forget that you do not build the Church, but She builds you. Our Lord established the Church on the Earth.

Even though the church is magnificent and well-built, you built it not so that people could pass by it and say “Wow!”, but to save your souls and educate your children in faith.”

“You have built the church, now continue to build up yourself spiritually by coming to Holy Services and saving your souls.”

Excerpts from the sermon of Bishop Georgije, February 26, 2014
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The Annunciation

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When the All-Holy Virgin completed the fourteenth year after her birth and was entering her fifteenth year, after having spent eleven years of living and serving in the Temple of Jerusalem, the priests informed her that, according to the Law, she could not remain in the Temple but was required to be betrothed and enter into marriage. What a great surprise to the priests was the answer of the All-Holy Virgin that she had dedicated her life to God and that she desired to remain a Virgin until death, not wanting to enter into marriage with anyone! Then, according to Divine Providence, Zacharias, the high priest and father of the Forerunner, under the inspiration of God, and in agreement with the other priests, gathered twelve unwed men from the Tribe of David to betroth the Virgin Mary to one of them to preserve her virginity and to care for her. She was betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth who was her kinsman. In the house of Joseph, the All-Holy Virgin continued to live as she did in the Temple of Solomon, occupying her time in the reading of Sacred Scripture, in prayer, in Godly-thoughts, in fasting and in handiwork.

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Gerontissa Makrina

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1921-1995

Maria (the future Abbess Makrina) was born in 1921 and grew up in Volos. When she was only ten, both of her parents died, and she began working to support herself and her younger brother. These two orphans managed to survive like this until she was twenty. But when the German Occupation began and famine struck Greece in 1941, they nearly died of starvation, and her brother left Volos. She continued working in Volos wherever she could for her daily bread. Despite her own poverty, she shared whatever food she had with others. Not only was she a hard worker and generous, but she was especially a person of prayer and frequently perceived God’s help tangibly.

In those days, she became acquainted with the mother of Geronda Ephraim, Victoria Moraitis. Those two holy women would pray together all night long on their knees with many tears and prostrations. Because of Maria’s virtues, other pious young women gathered around her during the years of the German Occupation.

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“You fought for the teaching of the Fathers”

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Saint Mark Eugenikos, Archbishop of Ephesus, was a stalwart defender of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence. He would not agree to a union with Rome which was based on theological compromise and political expediency (the Byzantine Emperor was seeking military assistance from the West against the Moslems who were drawing ever closer to Constantinople). Saint Mark countered the arguments of his opponents, drawing from the well of pure theology, and the teachings of the holy Fathers. When the members of his own delegation tried to pressure him into accepting the Union he replied, “There can be no compromise in matters of the Orthodox Faith.”

Although the members of the Orthodox delegation signed the Tomos of Union, Saint Mark was the only one who refused to do so. When he returned from Florence, Saint Mark urged the inhabitants of Constantinople to repudiate the dishonorable document of union. He died in 1457 at the age of fifty-two, admired and honored by all.

Troparion — Tone 4
By your profession of faith, O all-praised Mark / the Church has found you to be a zealot for truth. / You fought for the teaching of the Fathers; / you cast down the darkness of boastful pride. / Intercede with Christ God to grant forgiveness to those who honor you!

Kontakion — Tone 3
Clothed with invincible armor, O blessed one, / you cast down rebellious pride, / you served as the instrument of the Comforter, / and shone forth as the champion of Orthodoxy. / Therefore we cry to you: “Rejoice, Mark, the boast of the Orthodox!”

Schedule of Services

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Below is a schedule of Services for next 2 weeks.

1. Saturday April 16 Holy Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

2. Sunday April 17 Holy Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

3. Wednesday April 20 Akathist at 6:00 PM

4. Thursday April 21 Holy Liturgy at 10:00 AM

5. Thursday April 21 Evening Service at 6:00 PM

6. Friday April 22 Evening Service at 6:00 PM

7. Saturday April 23 Holy Liturgy at 10:00 AM

8. Sunday April 24 Holy Liturgy at 10:00 AM

Welcome to your Church!!! 

Saint Patron Day

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We are happy to invite you to our Church saint patron day. This year His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrofan will visit our parish.

The Services will be served as follows:

  1. Saturday February 26. Holy Liturgy will be served in English at 10:00 AM by father Obrad.
  2. Saturday February 26. Evening Service will be served at 7:00 PM (Bishop Dr. Mitrofan will be present).
  3. Sunday February 27. Holy Liturgy will be served at 10:00 AM by His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrofan, father Desimir, father Obrad and Deacon George.

After the Holy Liturgy a lunch will be served for all present.

WELCOME TO YOUR CHURCH!!!

Service Registrations

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We are setting up a Christmas Church service schedule, so we can ensure we follow all AHS recommendations for Church Services.  We can not allow more than 33% of our Fire Code occupancy, so we are setting up a schedule with multiple services options on Eventbrite. On January 6, the Church will be open all day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM (the time between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM is reserved for personal visits and registration is not necessary) Registration is necessary to attend any of the Services. January 7, the Church will be open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 and registration is necessary to attend the Service at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. 

To ensure social distancing protocols, we ask that everyone follows the below instructions:

1) If you, or anyone in your household are feeling sick or unwell in any way, please do not come to Church.

2) Everyone MUST wear a mask.

3) When you arrive at the Church please stay in your vehicle until your scheduled time slot.

4) Please keep 6 feet of distance between other families and do not shake hands. Use the hand sanitizer available before and after the services. You must leave the church before the next time slot begins, so we can prepare for the next scheduled time slot.

5) Please follow the instructions of the volunteers.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-church-service-schedule-2022-tickets-236004394497