After liturgy on Sunday, March 6, we will celebrate Maslenitsa, Cheesefare Sunday! There are many wonderful traditional ways to celebrate this last day of feasting before Forgiveness Vespers marks the start of our Lenten fast at 4:00 PM. We are excited to share them with you, including traditional foods and a samovar! Please join us as we prepare our hearts for spring, and most importantly, for Lent and the Lord’s Pascha.
Fast Free this week!
No fasting this week!
Parish Feast: Three Hierarchs, Jan 30
The St Emilia Ladies’ Guild is organizing a festal meal to celebrate our patron saint on January 30, following the liturgy. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share; each dish is prepared for 50 people.
At present, our menu includes:
Turkey (M. Anne)
Ham (Stephanie L.)
Salad greens (Patty)
Mashed potatoes, gluten free stuffing, gravy (Pam)
Stuffing (M. Melissa)
Cheesecake, green beans (Claudene)
Yam puff casserole (Nancy)
Roasted carrots, cookies (Jen S.)
Rolls (Wynn)
We will be setting the tables at 8 AM to be finished by the liturgy. Any help is appreciated! If you wish to volunteer for table centerpieces, please contact M. Anne.
Theophany Services
January 5
8 AM Royal Hours
6 PM Vesperal Divine Liturgy and indoor blessing of the waters
January 6
8:45 AM Baptisms
9 AM Divine Liturgy, followed by outdoor blessing of the waters
We will bless the Cape Fear River just past Riverside Park Community Building in Castle Hayne
Click here for Google Maps directions from church to our river spot
3:30 PM Vespers
St Basil's Day and the Feast of the Circumcision
Dec 31: 6 PM Vespers
Jan 1: 9 AM Festal Liturgy, followed by a St Basil’s day potluck feast!
St Lucia Day
We will have vespers at church for St Herman and St Lucia, followed by coffee and some sweet treats at the parish house. We will have a fire in the fire pit behind the parish house—bring your own seating!
Nativity of the Theotokos
The Nativity of the Theotokos is September 8. We will celebrate this feast with vespers on Tuesday, September 7 at 6 PM, and a festal divine liturgy on Wednesday, September 8 at 9:30 AM.
Exaltation of the Cross and Abp. Alexander visit
The Most Reverend ALEXANDER, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, will visit our parish in September! Please make every effort to come to this significant occasion—our first archpastoral visit since Fr Andrew’s ordination, and on a Great Feast of the Lord! We will feast together in honor of the occasion before Vespers on Monday, 9/13, starting dinner at 6p. Vespers will commence after dinner, around 7p.
On the Feast, Tuesday 9/14, we will greet His Eminence at 9am, and then celebrate the Festal Pontifical Divine Liturgy. It is a great blessing to see the Divine Liturgy celebrated in its full splendor (including the vesting of His Eminence in the middle of the Church). Please arrive by 8.30, particularly singers and servers! (Note: this Feast is also a strict fast day, so we will have light Lenten fare following the Liturgy.)
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Aug 15
We will celebrate the great feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15: bring flowers to be blessed, and join us after liturgy for a special anointing with oil from the myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God (St George, Taylor, PA).
Transfiguration, Aug 6
We will celebrate the great feast of the Transfiguration with vespers on Thursday, Aug 5, at 6 pm, and a festal Divine Liturgy on Friday, Aug 6, at 9:30 am. Bring fruits to church to be blesssed! Also, enjoy a lessening of the Dormition fast and feast on some fish.
Dormition
The fast begins August 1, ending with the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. Plan to come to confession, after vespers or by appointment. Email Fr Andrew to set up a time.
Pentecost Kneeling Vespers
We will celebrate Pentecost on June 20. Kneeling vespers will happen right after liturgy, followed by coffee hour.
Ascension: June 10
Ascension Liturgy: June 10 at 9:30 AM.
Holy Week Calendar
Click here for a Holy Week PDF calendar.
Pascha Picnic
On Pascha Sunday afternoon, we’ll start the festivities at 3 PM with the brief and joyous Paschal Vespers, followed by, weather permitting, an outdoor picnic with feasting and an egg hunt for the kids.
Agape Meal
We will break the fast together immediately following Paschal liturgy. Please bring baskets to be blessed, and join us for a socially distanced agape meal.
Palm Sunday Potluck
Bring your favorite fish dish to share with one another after liturgy on Palm Sunday. We’ll see you there!
Annunciation
Vesperal Liturgy on Thursday, Mar 25 at 6 PM
Blessing of a Warrior before Deployment
Join us in praying for Jeff C. before his deployment with the Marine Corps. We’ll look forward to having him back safe and sound in the fall. Please keep him and his wife Jennifer in your prayers.
Meeting of the Lord in the Temple
Vespers at 6 pm on Monday, Feb 1
Liturgy at 9.30 am on Tuesday, Feb 2