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Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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You are here: Home / Archives for Blessing of the Backpacks

Blessing of the Backpacks

Weekly Update: Catechumens’ Class, Blessing of Backpacks, and the 11th Sunday after Pentecost

19 August 2025 at 10:10

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Blessing of Backpacks and Parish Potluck Luncheon
Calling all students and teachers! Bring your backpack or school bag to church on 24 August 2025 for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. The blessing will follow the Divine Liturgy and be a fitting way to begin the new academic year.

Also on 24 August 2025, we will proceed to hold our chili potluck during coffee hour. Feel free to bring chili or a side to share (Not required! More importantly, stay and enjoy food and fellowship!)

See below regarding Metropolitan Antony’s scheduled visit.

 

Prayers
In your prayers please continue to remember our catechumens (Rob & Stacy and children, Michael, Nicholas, Michael, and James), 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

 

Catechumens’ Classes
Catechumen/Inquirer class will continue this week on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, at 7pm. All are welcome!

Bible study will continue to alternate every other week with the catechumen class. (Next Bible study class 27 August 2025 at 7pm).

 

Metropolitan Antony’s Visit
As announced last Sunday during the announcements, Metropolitan Antony’s visit to our parish scheduled for Sunday, 24 August 2025, has been postponed. A new date will be officially announced once confirmed.

Thank you for your understanding and please continue to keep Vladyka Antony in your prayers as he recovers from his recent heart-related procedure.

 

11th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, 24 August 2025, is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings for this Sunday are:

1 Corinthians 9.2-12 (Epistle):
[2] If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. [3] This is my defense to those who would examine me. [4] Do we not have the right to our food and drink? [5] Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? [6] Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? [8] Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? [12] If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. (Revised Standard Version)

Matthew 18.23-35 (Gospel):
[23] “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[24] When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; [25] and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ [27] And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. [28] But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.’ [29] So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ [30] He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. [31] When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. [32] Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; [33] and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ [34] And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. [35] So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Revised Standard Version)

 

Did You Know?
Did you know that the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, as well as a few other feasts, are followed by an Afterfeast? An Afterfeast is a period of celebration attached to one of the Great Feasts. The last day of an Afterfeast is called the Apodosis (ancient Greek for “leave-taking”, lit. “giving-back”) of the Feast. On the Apodosis, most of the hymns that were chanted on the first day of the Feast are repeated. The Afterfeast is somewhat analogous to the octave on the Roman-Latin ecclesiastical calendar.

For example, the Feast of the Dormition, which we just celebrated, has an eight day Afterfeast. The Apodosis of the feast is on 23 August.

 

Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
As a reminder, we will collect school supply items for the Harford County Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive from now until September 7th, at which point they will be delivered to Harford schools. Donations can be deposited in the bins located in the restroom hallway.

 

This Week and Looking Ahead

  • Catechumens’ Class on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, at 7pm.
  • Vespers on Saturday, 23 August 2025, at 6pm.
  • Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 24 August 2025, at 9:00am.
  • Blessing of the Backpacks for the new academic year on Sunday, 24 August 2025, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
  • Parish Potluck during coffee hour on Sunday, 24 August 2025.
  • Beginning of the new church year on Monday, 1 September 2025.
  • The Feast of Nativity of the Theotokos on Monday, 8 September 2025.
  • Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Monday, 8 September 2025.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Blessing of the Backpacks, Divine Liturgy

Weekly Update: Feast of the Transfiguration, Catechumens’ Class, and the 9th Sunday after Pentecost

4 August 2025 at 08:30

Glory to Jesus Christ!

The Feast of the Transfiguration
The Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated on 6 August and is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Please join us on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at 6pm as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration.

It is also an ancient tradition for the faithful to bring grapes and other fruit to be blessed on the Transfiguration.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. — Gospel According to St. Mark 9.2–8

The Transfiguration of our Lord
 

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, 6 August 2025, at 7pm will begin a new session of catechumen classes. Classes will alternate every other week with a new Bible Study class on the Gospel of St. John (starting on 13 August 2025 at 7pm).

 

Stuff the Bus and Charitable Pantry
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. 

The St. Caritas (from the Latin for love) Pantry in our parking lot is continually used throughout the week. Thanks be to God! If you have canned goods or non-perishable items to donate, you can place them in the supply box in the restroom hallway. Thank you!

 

9th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, 10 August 2025, is the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. On this day we commemorate the Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence of Rome (+258), among others.

St. Ambrose relates that when the Roman authorities demanded that St. Lawrence bring out and hand over the treasures of the church, he returned with the poor of the church. St. Lawrence was martyred for the Faith in 258 A.D. by being burned alive and is said to have remarked to his executioners, “turn me over. I’m done on this side.”

The readings for this Sunday are:

  • 1 Corinthians 3.9-17 (Epistle)
  • Matthew 14.22-34 (Gospel)
 

Parish Council Meeting
There will be a parish council meeting on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, at 7:30pm.

 

Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated on 15 August. This Feast is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and concludes the two-week Dormition Fast.

Please join us on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 6:00pm as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition.

 

Metropolitan Antony’s Visit
As a reminder, there will be a signup sheet in the kitchen for cleaning duties in preparation for Metropolitan Antony’s visit on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Thank you in advance for any help in this endeavor!

Please note that the date above 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

  • Dormition Fast, 01 August through 14 August.
  • Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Tuesday, 05 August 2025, at 6pm.
  • Catechumen Class on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at 7pm.
  • Vespers on Saturday, 9 August 2025, at 6pm.
  • Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 10 August 2025, at 9:00am.
  • Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, at 7pm.
  • Bible Study in the Gospel of St. John on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, at 7pm.
  • Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 6pm.
  • Archpastoral visit with Metropolitan Antony on Sunday, 17 August 2025.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Blessing of the Backpacks, Catechumen Class, Divine Liturgy, Stuff the Bus, Transfiguration, Vespers

A New Year!

31 August 2024 at 07:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Tomorrow, 01 September, marks the beginning of the new church year. This is a perfect time to reorient our lives to renewed prayer, scripture reading, almsgiving, attending to liturgical life, etc. May God grant it!

12 Resolutions for the New Ecclesiastical Year — basilica.ro

In related news, students and teachers had their backpacks and lunchboxes blessed after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 25 August 2024 in preparation for a new academic year. Please keep our students and teachers (and all students and teachers!) in your prayers.

Blessing of Backpacks — 25 August 2024
Blessing of Backpacks — 25 August 2024
Blessing of Backpacks — 25 August 2024

Filed Under: News Tagged With: back to school, Blessing of the Backpacks, New Year

Blessing of Backpacks

23 August 2024 at 10:15

Glory to Jesus Christ!

As another academic year begins, we will be praying for those returning to school with our annual Blessing of the Backpacks following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 25 August 2024.

Whether student, teacher, or staff, please bring your backpack or bag to be blessed before returning to the classroom! All ages welcome!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Blessing of the Backpacks, Divine Liturgy

Vespers Canceled for Saturday, 24 August 2024

23 August 2024 at 09:58

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Please note that due to Fr. Gregory’s out-of-town travel this weekend, Vespers will be canceled for Saturday, 24 August 2024.

We will continue our worship together with the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at 9:00am, followed by our annual Blessing of the Backpacks for returning students.

As always, all are welcome!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Blessing of the Backpacks, Vespers

Blessing of Backpacks

26 August 2023 at 14:57

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

As another academic year begins, we will be praying for those returning to school with a Blessing of the Backpacks at the end of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 27 August.

Whether student, teacher, or staff, please bring your backpack or bag to be blessed before returning to the classroom! All ages welcome!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: back to school, Blessing of the Backpacks

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