Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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2nd Sunday after Pentecost and the Synaxis of the Saints of North America

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Prayers
In your prayers please continue to remember our catechumens, new mothers, the sick, the poor, 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

Choir Practice
Please note that the scheduled choir practice for this evening, Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 6:30pm, is being held at the Mukai home and not at the church. Please contact Peggy for details.

Catechumen’s Class
This Wednesday, 18 June 2025 at 7:00pm, will be the last catechumen class of the current session. Dates and times for the next set of classes will be forthcoming.

Baptism and Chrismation
Join us on Sunday, 22 June 2025 at 8:30am, for the baptism and chrismation of Daniel B. Please continue to pray for Daniel and all catechumens as they prepare to enter the Orthodox Church.

Please note that the Divine Liturgy will start closer to 9:30am.

2nd Sunday after Pentecost
This coming Sunday, 22 June 2025, is the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, as well as the Synaxis of the Saints of North America. On this day we remember all of the saints who have lived and labored on our continent. (Synaxis, from the Greek word meaning “gathering” or “assembly” and in this case the common commemoration of a number of saints in a single service)

The readings for this Sunday are:

As the bountiful harvest of Your sowing of salvation, / the lands of North America offer to You, O Lord, all the saints who have shone in them. / By their prayers keep the Church and our land in abiding peace / through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One.
— Troparion for the Synaxis of the Saints of North America

St. Olga of Alaska, first female Orthodox saint in North America (+1979, canonized 2023. Feast day 27 October)

Apostles Fast
The Apostles Fast is upon us. This fast, also commonly called the Fast of Sts. Peter and Paul, occurs from the second Monday after Pentecost until the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on 29 June. It varies in length due to its dependency on the date of Pascha. By the 5th century, this fast was attested to in both the East and the West. St. Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome (+461), described the fast as a way of tempering the post-Paschal joy of the Spirit with watchfulness.

This Week and Looking Ahead

Weekly Happenings for Meatfare Week – Baptism; Parish Council Mtg; Inquirer’s Class; Brotherhood Night; Meatfare

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Congratulations to the Hillman family, who were baptized and received into the Orthodox Church on Sunday, 16 February 2025, before the Divine Liturgy! It was a joyous morning! Please continue to keep the Hillman’s in your prayers, as well as all of our church family.

Hillman family

Please note that there will be a parish council meeting on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, at 7pm, at the church.

On Wednesday, 19 February 2025, at 7pm, Fr. Gregory will continue our Inquirer’s Class for those interested in learning more about the Orthodox faith and/or our parish. Have a question? Please join us! A cancellation due to a possible inclement weather forecast will be posted on our website.

On Saturday, 22 February 2025, following Vespers, the St. Basil’s Brotherhood will meet at Mission BBQ in Bel Air to enjoy some fellowship and food as we wind down Meatfare week. Vespers begins at 6pm and the Brotherhood meeting should begin at approximately 7:15pm.

Please join us. All are welcome!

Sunday, 23 February 2025, is the Sunday of the Last Judgement, the third of the pre-Lenten Sundays. This Sunday is also the conclusion of Meatfare week and the last day to consume meat for those following the Fast.

The readings for the Divine Liturgy are:

1 Corinthians 8.8–9.2 (Epistle)
Matthew 25.31–46 (Gospel)

When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory, / all things shall tremble / and the river of fire shall flow before Your judgment seat; / the books shall be opened and the hidden things disclosed! / Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, / and make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, Most Righteous Judge!
— Kontakion for the Sunday of the Last Judgement

Last Judgement
Icon of the Last Judgment from the house for pilgrims of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, 17th c. (Source: National Art Museum of Ukraine)

Weekly Happenings – House Blessings; Great Fast; Baptism; Panikhida; Prodigal Son

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

House blessings continue through the beginning of Great Lent. Please see Fr. Gregory to schedule a time if you would like to have your house blessed.

In preparation to enter into the Great Fast, please note that this week is fast free! The weekly Wednesday/Friday fast will resume next week, Meatfare week, and then no meat will be consumed in Cheesefare week, followed by the beginning of Lent. This gradual entrance into the Fast is very practical and beneficial, as opposed to a sudden deep-dive into the Fast!

While Orthodoxy has a defined tradition of fasting, it should be noted that there are exceptions to the rule (e.g., small children, the sick, the very old, pregnant and nursing mothers, travelers, etc.) and that practical pastoral wisdom might be called for (e.g., it might not be beneficial for someone who has never fasted to take on a strict fast) when fasting. Everyone’s situation in life is different.

If anyone has questions regarding the Orthodox practice of fasting, please see Fr. Gregory.

“True fasting is being a stranger to vice, controlling the tongue, abstaining from anger, distancing oneself from lust, evil speech, lying, perjury. The absence of these vices makes fasting true, and so shunning these vices makes fasting good.
— On Fasting and Feasts, St. Basil the Great

Saturday Vespers, 15 February 2025, will begin at the normally scheduled time of 6pm. Please join us!

This coming Sunday, 16 February 2025, at 8:30am, the Hillman family will be baptized and received into the Orthodox Church. Please join us on this joyous occasion! And please continue to keep the Hillman’s in your daily prayers.

The Divine Liturgy will begin at approximately 9:30am.

Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, we will pray a Panikhida (memorial service) for +David Mukai, on the 2 year anniversary of his passing. Memory eternal!

Sunday, 16 February 2025, is also the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, one of the pre-Lenten Sundays. The readings for the Divine Liturgy are:

1 Corinthians 6.12-20 (Epistle)
Luke 15.11-32 (Gospel)

I have recklessly forgotten Your glory, O Father; / and among sinners I have scattered the riches which You had given me. / Therefore, I cry to You like the Prodigal: / “I have sinned before You, O compassionate Father; / receive me a penitent and make me as one of Your hired servants.
— Kontakion for the Sunday of the Progigal Son

Prodigal Son
Icon of the Prodigal Son

Baptism of Alanna Bach

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Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the body of Christ, the newly illumined Alanna Bach. Congratulations to parents parents Alex and Christella and big sister Chloe!

Baptism of Alanna Anna