Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

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Great Feast

Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Please join us on Monday, 05 August 2024, at 6pm, as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration (06 August).

All are welcome!

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, | revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. | Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, | through the prayers of the Theotokos. | O Giver of Light, glory to You!
— Troparion for the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

The Transfiguration, 14th century. National Museum, Lvov.
The Transfiguration, 14th century. National Museum, Lvov.

Feast of Pentecost

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Tomorrow, 23 June 2024, is the 8th Sunday of Pascha and the Feast of Holy Pentecost, the celebration by the Church of the coming of the Holy Spirit as the end—the achievement and fulfillment—of the entire history of salvation.1

Please join us for the Festal Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM, followed by a portion of Kneeling Vespers at which we will kneel together for the first time since Great and Holy Pascha. These prayers are traditionally prayed after Vespers but commonly celebrated immediately following the Liturgy in modern parish usage.

Pentecost
Feast of Holy Pentecost

Feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

On this joyous day, 25 March, we wish everyone a blessed Feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary!

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 (short hymn) 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

Reminder! Feast of the Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

Hail, Virgin Theotokos, full of grace! * From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, * enlightening those who were in darkness! / Rejoice, O righteous Elder; * you received in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, * Who grants us the Resurrection.

Troparion for the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple

This coming Friday, 02 February 2024, is the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church (and also one of the most ancient festivals of the Church, being attested to already in the early 300’s).

Please join us at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 01 February 2024, as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord. Following Vespers will be the Blessing of Candles, a tradition common to this “festival of light” (cf. Luke 2:32). If you have candles that you would like to be blessed, please bring them with you to church.

All are welcome!

Speaking of light, enjoy this wonderful article by Fr. Stephen Freeman on the connection between Ground Hog’s Day and the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord: Candlewax and Hedgehogs – Groundhog Day.

Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple
The Presentation in the Temple by iconographer Philip Davydov

The Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

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Christ is Born!

As we approach the Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, please join us for the Festal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany on Saturday, 06 January 2024, at 9:00 am.

Following the Divine Liturgy will be the Great Blessing of the Water. Please bring a container if you would like to take home some blessed water for personal use.

As always, all are welcome and invited to join us as we celebrate this Great Feast of the Orthodox Church.

When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan / the worship of the Trinity was made manifest / for the voice of the Father bore witness to You / and called You His beloved Son. / And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, / confirmed the truthfulness of His word. / O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself / and have enlightened the world, glory to You!

— Troparion for the Feast

The Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Nativity Services at Four Evangelists Orthodox Church

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

As we approach the Christmas season this year, please join us as we celebrate the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. All are welcome and invited!

Saturday, 23 December 2023 at 6pm – Vespers of the Eve of the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ

Sunday, 24 December 2023 at 9am – Divine Liturgy of the Eve of the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ

Sunday, 24 December 2023 at 7pm – Great Compline of the Feast of the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ

Monday, 25 December 2023 at 9am – Festal Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, * has shone to the world as the light of wisdom. * For by it those who worshipped the stars * were taught by a star to adore Thee, * the Sun of Righteousness, * and to know Thee, the Orient from on high. * O Lord, glory to Thee. — Troparion for the Feast of the Nativity

Christmas at Four Evangelists Orthodox Church
Christmas at Four Evangelists Orthodox Church