Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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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.

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.