Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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St. Thomas Sunday

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Christ is risen!

This coming Sunday, 27 April 2025, is the 2nd Sunday of Pascha and St. Thomas Sunday.

This Sunday is called Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition to Pascha”) because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. We also hear the Gospel reading of Thomas and his full belief in the resurrection.

The readings for this Sunday are:

Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Gospel of St. John 20.27–29

St. Thomas Sunday

Christ is Risen!

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Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres!
Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!
El Messieh kahm! Hakken kahm!
Cristo ha resucitado! En verdad ha resucitado!

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
— Paschal Troparion

Harrowing of Hades

Holy Week and Pascha

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Please join us this week as we celebrate the passion, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

HOLY WEEK

Wednesday, 16 April, at 6 PM ᛭ Great and Holy Wednesday ᛭ Service of Holy Unction

Thursday, 17 April, at 6 PM ᛭ Great and Holy Thursday ᛭ Matins of Great and Holy Friday (Twelve Passion Gospels)

Friday, 18 April, at 2 PM ᛭ Great and Holy Friday ᛭ Vespers of the Cross

Friday, 18 April, at 7 PM ᛭ Great and Holy Friday ᛭ Matins of Great and Holy Saturday (Jerusalem Matins) with Procession

Saturday, 19 April, at 10 AM ᛭ Great and Holy Saturday ᛭ Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

Saturday, 19 April, at 11:30 PM ᛭ Great and Holy Saturday ᛭ Midnight Office

The Midnight Office is the last service in the Lenten Triodion. While the Midnight Office is part of the Paschal vigil, at its conclusion we fully enter in the joy of Pascha.

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA (EASTER)

Sunday, 20 April, at 12 AM ᛭ Great and Holy Pascha ᛭ Paschal Matins, Paschal Hours, Paschal Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Baskets, and Agape Feast*

*All are invited to bring a basket to be blessed at the conclusion of the Paschal liturgy before we break the Great Fast together. Traditional basket examples can be found here and here, but are by no means necessary. More importantly, come!

Cleaning the Church; Relief for Ukraine

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

As we prepare ourselves to enter Holy Week, we will also be preparing the physical church to for the upcoming cycle of Holy Week services. If you are available and would like to help with cleaning the church, please join us on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at 10:30 AM.

All are welcome to help! No experience or supplies required. Please contact Lia Krowzow for more details.

On Palm Sunday, 13 April 2025, we will be taking up a special monetary collection in support of those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. All giving will be directed to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the Let’s Help Ukraine effort. Thank you for your assistance!

6th Week of Lent (Palm Week) and the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 13 April 2025, is the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). The Blessing of Palms and Willows will take place following the Festal Liturgy.

Palm Sunday, also called the Triumphal Entry, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on the Sunday before Holy Pascha. On this day the Church celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before the Jewish Passover.1

Lent ends on the evening of Friday of the 6th week. Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday are somewhat days of transition between Lent and Holy Week. Holy Week begins on the evening of Palm Sunday.

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, / You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! / Like the children with the palms of victory, / we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death: / Hosanna in the Highest! / Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
— Troparion for the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • Philippians 4.4–9 (Epistle)
  • John 12.1–18 (Gospel)

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

  • Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday, 09 April 2025, at 6 PM followed by a light Lenten potluck dinner. This will be our last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during this Lenten season.
  • Vespers for the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at 6 PM
  • Festal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) on Sunday, 13 April 2025, at 9 AM (with Prayers of the Hours beginning at 8:45 AM), followed by the Blessing of Palms and Willows

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

Please note that today, Tuesday, 08 April 2025, there will be a Inquirer’s Class at the church at 7:00 PM.

There will also be choir practice this evening, Tuesday, at 6:30 PM at the Mukai home —not at the church. Please see Peggy for details.

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.