Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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Recent News

5th Week of Lent and the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 06 April 2025, is the 5th Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt.

St. Mary of Egypt is commemorated on 01 April and on the 5th Sunday of Holy Lent. She is commemorated on this Sunday due to her recognition by the Church as a model of repentance.1

Enlightened by the grace of the Cross, * thou wast seen to be a bright light of repentance, * dispelling the darkness of passions, O all holy one. * thou didst appear as an angel in the flesh * to holy Zosimas in the wilderness. * Intercede with Christ for us, O Mary our righteous Mother.
— Troparion for the Feast of St. Mary of Egypt

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • Galatians 3.23–29 (Epistle, Saint)
  • Luke 7.36–50 (Gospel, Saint)
  • Hebrews 9.11–14 (Epistle)
  • Mark 10.32–45 (Gospel)

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.

4th Sunday of Lent: Sunday of St. John of the Ladder

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 30 March 2025, is the 4th Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder.

St. John Climacus is commemorated on 30 March and on the Fourth Sunday of Holy Lent (which happens to coincide this year). He is called Climacus due to his authorship of the great spiritual work The Ladder of Divine Ascent. His commemoration is designated by the Church on one of the Sundays of Lent as his life and writings affirm him as a supreme bearer and proponent of Christian asceticism. The ascetic example of this great Saint of the Church inspires us in our Lenten journey.1

Ladder of Divine Ascent (icon)
Ladder of Divine Ascent (icon), Saint Catherine’s Monastery, late 12th century

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • Ephesians 5.9–19 (Epistle, Saint)
  • Matthew 4.25–5.12 (Gospel, Saint)
  • Hebrews 6.13–20 (Epistle)
  • Mark 9.17–31 (Gospel)

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.

A Blessed Feast of the Annunciation

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Today is the beginning of our salvation * and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. * The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, * and Gabriel announces grace. * So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: * Rejoice, thou who art full of grace! * The Lord is with thee.

— Troparion for the Feast of the Annunciation

Feast of the Annunciation
Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God

Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Please join us on Monday, 24 March 2025, at 6PM as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation (25 March), one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.

Today is the beginning of our salvation, / the revelation of the eternal mystery! / The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin / as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. / Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: / Hail, O Full of Grace, / the Lord is with You!
— Troparion for the Feast of the Annunciation

The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

3rd Sunday of Lent: Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 23 March 2025, is the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.

The commemoration and ceremonies of the Third Sunday of Lent are closely parallel to the feasts of the Veneration of the Cross (September 14) and the Procession of the Cross (August 1). Not only does the Sunday of the Holy Cross prepare us for commemoration of the Crucifixion, but it also reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ.1

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • Hebrews 4.14–5.6 (Epistle)
  • Mark 8.34–9.1 (Gospel)

This evening, Tuesday, 18 March 2025, there will be choir practice at the church at 6:30 PM, followed by a parish council meeting at 7 PM.

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.

2nd Sunday of Lent: Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 16 March 2025, is the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas.

Often called the “second triumph of Orthodoxy”, the Church remembers St. Gregory on this day because of his clear explanation and defense of the Orthodox Faith. St. Gregory taught that we cannot experience God through education, philosophy, intellectual discussion and debates. God is a person with whom we are to be in a relationship, not a topic to be discussed or facts to memorize. He taught that God desires us to know Him, to experience Him, to share His life, to become one with Him.1

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • Hebrews 7.26–8.2 (Epistle – St. Gregory Palamas)
  • John 10.9–16 (Gospel – St. Gregory Palamas)
  • Hebrews 1.10–2.3 (Epistle)
  • Mark 2.1–12 (Gospel)

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.

Come out on Sunday, 16 March 2025, at 3pm, to hear a concert to support peace in Ukraine, featuring our own Dr. Andrew Nowakowski.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1200 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air, Maryland 21014

Admission is FREE. Details below.