Bible Study > Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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]

Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God by Theophanes the Greek (14th century)

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:

1 Corinthians 4.9–16 (Epistle)
Matthew 17.14–23 (Gospel)

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