Glory to Jesus Christ!
Please join us tomorrow, Thursday, 14 August 2024, at 6pm, as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (15 August).
All are welcome!
In giving birth, you preserved your virginity, / and in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. / You passed into life as the Mother of Life, / and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Dormition
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The Feast of the The Dormition (“Falling Asleep”) of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Please join us on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 6pm as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition.
In giving birth, you preserved your virginity, / and in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. / You passed into life as the Mother of Life, / and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on August 15. This feast, which is also sometimes called the Assumption, commemorates the death, resurrection and glorification of Christ’s mother. It proclaims that Mary has been “assumed” by God into the heavenly kingdom of Christ in the fullness of her spiritual and bodily existence. [from the Dormition of the Theotokos article in Volume II – Worship: The Church Year at the Orthodox Church in America website]
Parish Calendars
Did you know that our website has two calendars that you can import into your phone or computer calendar? Both calendars are in iCal format used by popular calendar services such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook.
Our Parish Calendar includes all liturgical services and in-person events held at our church. It can be accessed here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/4ev.webmaster%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics
Our Daily Calendar of Saints includes a general (and by all means non-exhaustive) list of daily commemorations in the Orthodox church. It can be accessed here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/0i8htdekb9p5q1jpghgdmn4k7o%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Google calendar users can easily add the Parish Calendar by using the Add to Google Calendar tool at the bottom of the calendar here.
Prayers
In your prayers please continue to remember our catechumens (Rob & Stacy, Michael, Nicholas, and Michael), new mothers and babies, the sick, the poor, travelers, those impacted by war and calamities, and those in need.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,…” — 1st Epistle of St. Timothy 2.1
Bible Study and Catechumens’ Classes
Mark your calendars! Wednesday, 13 August 2025, at 7pm will begin a new Bible study. This study will go through the Gospel according to St. John. Bring your Bible or use one from the church library.
Catechumen classes will continue to alternate every other week with the Bible study. (Next Catechumen class 20 August 2025 at 7pm).
Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
Every year our parish gathers school supplies for students in need. This year we are accepting donations for the Stuff the Bus campaign, a donation drive to assist students locally here in Harford County. (See supply list below). We will collect items from now until September 7th, at which point they will be delivered to Harford schools. Donations can be deposited in the nins located in the restroom hallway.
10th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, 17 August 2025, is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost and Afterfeast of the Dormition, among other commemorations.
The readings for this Sunday are:
Choir Practice and Parish Council Meeting
There will be choir practice on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, at 6:30pm, followed by a parish council meeting at 7:30pm.
Parish Cleaning
As a reminder, there will be two cleaning sessions in preparation for Metropolitan Antony’s visit on Sunday, 24 August 2025.
The sessions will be (1) following coffee hour on Sunday, 17 August 2025 and (2) Saturday, 23 August 2025, from 4-5pm.
Thank you in advance for any help in this endeavor!
Please note that the above date for the Metropolitan’s visit is a correction to a previously announced date.
Blessing of Backpacks
Calling all students and teachers of all ages! Bring your backpack or school bag to church on 24 August 2025 for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. The blessing with be following the Divine Liturgy and will be a fitting way to begin the new academic year.
This Week and Looking Ahead
Glory to Jesus Christ!
A blessed Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord to all!
You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, / revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. / Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, / through the prayers of the Theotokos. / O Giver of Light, glory to You! — Troparion for the Feast of the Transfiguration
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Please note that due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Metropolitan Antony’s visit to Four Evangelist Orthodox Church will now be Sunday, 24 August 2025, one week following the previously announced date. Please mark your calendars.
Thank your for your understanding and please also keep Metropolitan Antony in your prayers as he undergoes a minor heart procedure on 14 August 2025.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The Feast of the Transfiguration
The Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated on 6 August and is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Please join us on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at 6pm as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration.
It is also an ancient tradition for the faithful to bring grapes and other fruit to be blessed on the Transfiguration.
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. — Gospel According to St. Mark 9.2–8
Prayers
In your prayers please continue to remember our catechumens (Rob & Stacy, Michael, Nicholas, and Michael), new mothers and babies, the sick, the poor, travelers, those impacted by war and calamities, and those in need.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,…” — 1st Epistle of St. Timothy 2.1
Bible Study and Catechumens’ Classes
Mark your calendars! Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at 7pm will begin a new session of catechumen classes. Classes will alternate every other week with a new Bible Study class on the Gospel of St. John (starting on 13 August 2025 at 7pm).
Stuff the Bus and Charitable Pantry
Every year our parish gathers school supplies for students in need. This year we are accepting donations for the Stuff the Bus campaign, a donation drive to assist students locally here in Harford County. (See supply list below). We will collect items from now until September 7th, at which point they will be delivered to Harford schools.
The St. Caritas (from the Latin for love) Pantry in our parking lot is continually used throughout the week. Thanks be to God! If you have canned goods or non-perishable items to donate, you can place them in the supply box in the restroom hallway. Thank you!
9th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, 10 August 2025, is the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. On this day we commemorate the Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence of Rome (+258), among others.
St. Ambrose relates that when the Roman authorities demanded that St. Lawrence bring out and hand over the treasures of the church, he returned with the poor of the church. St. Lawrence was martyred for the Faith in 258 A.D. by being burned alive and is said to have remarked to his executioners, “turn me over. I’m done on this side.”
The readings for this Sunday are:
Parish Council Meeting
There will be a parish council meeting on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, at 7:30pm.
Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated on 15 August. This Feast is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and concludes the two-week Dormition Fast.
Please join us on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 6:00pm as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition.
Metropolitan Antony’s Visit
As a reminder, there will be a signup sheet in the kitchen for cleaning duties in preparation for Metropolitan Antony’s visit on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Thank you in advance for any help in this endeavor!
Please note that the date above is a correction to a previously announced date.
Blessing of Backpacks
Calling all students and teachers of all ages! Bring your backpack or school bag to church on 24 August 2025 for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. The blessing with be following the Divine Liturgy and will be a fitting way to begin the new academic year.
This Week and Looking Ahead
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Every year our parish gathers school supplies for students in need within the region. This year we are accepting donations for the Stuff the Bus campaign, a donation drive to assist students locally here in Harford County. (See supply list below)
We will collect items from now until September 7th, at which point they will be delivered to Harford schools.
Items that are brought in should be put in the plastic box in the restroom hallway.
Thank you for your generosity!
