"To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, beloved children in the Lord:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

During these winter months, the Church celebrates a number of feasts dedicated to the appearing of the Lord in the flesh.

At his Nativity, he is born an infant, with all the needs of an infant; he requires his Mother’s nourishment, warmth, and care, and also his foster-father’s protection.

At his Baptism, he enters into the rushing waters of this world, into the cascading elements of creation, into the onrushing flow of life, into the change and flux of the present age.

Saint Martinian of White Lake, known in the world as Michael, was born in 1370 in the village of Berezniko near the Cyrilov Monastery. At the age of thirteen, he secretly left his parents to join Saint Cyril of White Lake, a renowned ascetic, under whose guidance he lived in strict obedience. At the monastery, Martinian learned reading and writing, copied books with Saint Cyril’s blessing, and was eventually ordained first as a deacon and later as a hieromonk. After the death of Saint Cyril in 1427, Martinian withdrew to a deserted island on Lake Vozha, where several monks gathered around him. He founded a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord and established a common monastic rule for the community.

Later, responding to the requests of the brethren, Saint Martinian became igumen of the Therapon Monastery and restored it to a flourishing condition. He also provided spiritual counsel…

There will be no coffee hour for the rest of January. The sign up sheet for January is blank. No one signed up or helped last Sunday.

As you all know from the beginning in September it was stated that if no one signs up there will be no coffee hour. Help is always needed to set up in the morning before church as the food arrives, then heating food and then the washing of dishes and clean up. The February schedule was also up last Sunday. If any one has ideas on how to make this work please let us know.

Thank you.

On January 6, 2026, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the celebration of the Great Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at St. Mark Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland.

Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America; Archpriest Gregory Safchuk, Rector of St. Mark’s and Dean of the Washington Deanery; and Priest Nicholas Roth. Deacon Michael Mihailov and Deacon Matthew Prentice also served.

The liturgical services were enhanced by the beautiful responses of the St. Mark’s choir, directed by Sharon Sielinski.

In his homily, His Beatitude reflected on Theophany as the sanctification of all creation, describing the Lord’s baptism in the Jordan as a renewal not only of the world, but also of the faithful, who are called to live in the light of Christ’s divine revelation.

A festive meal followed the Divine Liturgy.

Happy New Year everyone! Here is the update on this Sunday coffee hour. We are going to have ham and pea soup, croissants, salami / cheese plate, deviled eggs and a homemade dessert.

Please only one soup  on Sunday.

The milk and creamers are also donated.

Thank you.😊

The Holy Apostle Timon was one of the seven deacons chosen by the holy Apostles, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:5). These seven men were appointed to serve the early Christian community by caring for the practical needs of the Church, especially the support of destitute widows, so that the Apostles could devote themselves more fully to prayer and the preaching of the Gospel. Timon was selected for his strong faith, wisdom, and good reputation among the believers.

After faithfully serving as a deacon, Timon was later appointed bishop of the city of Bosra in Syria. In this role, he labored zealously to spread the Christian faith, preaching the Gospel with courage and guiding many people away from pagan worship to the knowledge of Christ. Through his teaching and example, numerous men and women embraced Christianity, strengthening the growing Church in that region.

Because of his…

Here are some of the foods being prepared for Sunday.

Sandwiches and vegetable platter

Rice with shrimp

Salad and cake

Cranberry coffee cake

Please remember to bring the food prepared and in the dish ready to be served. Thank you everyone

Saint Elias was a monk of the Near Caves Monastery in Kiev, originally from Murom, and was known as the “Shoemaker” or “Cobbler.” Popular tradition links him with the legendary warrior Elias of Murom celebrated in Russian ballads and in Gliere’s Symphony No. 3, though there is no firm historical evidence to support this identification.

At his repose, Saint Elias’ right hand was positioned in the Orthodox form of the Sign of the Cross—three fingers together, with the other two folded—later cited as evidence during the Old Ritualist Schism in support of this practice. He is also commemorated on several feast days, including the Second Sunday of Great Lent, June 10, June 23, and September 28.

Troparion — Tone 4

Come, all ye faithful, let us honor our Venerable Father Elias of Murom with spiritual songs, / the lamp of the Monastery of the Caves, and great intercessor for all…

Saint Simeon of Verkhoturye was a nobleman who hid his origins and lived as a wandering beggar. Traveling through villages, he freely sewed clothing for the poor, deliberately leaving small flaws and patiently enduring abuse. He often lived near the churchyard of Merkushinsk, where he loved the Ural landscape, prayed in solitude, fished, and guided local people in the Christian faith, sowing spiritual seeds that bore fruit throughout the Urals and Siberia.

Saint Simeon died in 1642 at the age of 35 and was buried near the Church of the Archangel Michael. In 1704 his relics were transferred to the Saint Nicholas Monastery in Verkhoturye. After his death, he worked many miracles, healing the sick, freeing people from drunkenness, and offering spiritual guidance. His memory is celebrated on September 12, the day of the translation of his relics.

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the…