We are a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and all are welcome to worship with us! Our services are in English. Please join us at our coffee hour downstairs after the service.

                                    Weekly Schedule

                           Saturday Vigil                 5:00pm
                           Sunday Divine Liturgy    9:30am
                           Sunday Bible Study        resume January 24
                           Wednesday Akathist       6:30pm
                           Friday Small Compline    6:30pm



Sunday Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic Hosts were above Thy tomb, * and they that guarded Thee became as dead. * And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. * Thou didst despoil Hades and wast not tempted by it. * Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. * O Thou Who didst rise from the dead, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Troparion of the Nativity, Tone 4:  Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, * has shone the world 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 of the Kinsmen of the Lord, Tone 2:  O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David * the father of our Divine Lord. * Thou hast seen a Virgin conceive; * thou hast given glory with the shepherds; * thou hast worshipped with the Magi; * and thou hast been warned by an angel. * Implore Christ our God to save our souls.
 
Kontakion of the Kinsmen of the Lord, Tone 3:  Today divine David is filled with gladness, * and together with James, Joseph doth offer praise; * for they rejoice at receiving a crown as kinsmen of Christ, * and they praise Him who is ineffably born on earth * and they cry: O Compassionate One, * save them that honor Thee.
 
Kontakion of the Nativity, Tone 3:  Today the Virgin giveth birth to Him Who is transcendent in essence; * and the earth offereth a cave to Him Who is unapproachable. * Angels with shepherds give glory ; * with the star the Magi do journey; * for our sake a young Child is born, * Who is pre-eternal God.
 
Today’s Readings
Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19; I Timothy 1:15-17
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 18:35-43

Parish News

 Our dear sister in Christ, Lillian Williams, passed away on the Eve of Nativity, Wednesday, January 6. The funeral and burial were in Jordanville on Friday, January 8. May her memory be eternal! We will serve a pannychida for the ninth day of her repose this Thursday at 6:30pm.

 Today is David Wheeler’s name day. Many years!

Today at coffee hour we will have a brief parish council meeting to discuss the budget for this year and schedule our annual all-parish meeting.

 The Sisterhood will also meet today at coffee hour, after the brief parish council meeting.

 Thank you again to everyone who helped clean and decorate the temple for Nativity, those who prepared the meals and those who helped with the “Nativity Festivity”. God bless you all!

 Many thanks again to Mischlers Florist and American Beauties Florist for the lovely poinsettias.

 Please remember in your prayers those traveling: Galina Bahanovich and Reader Nicolas Jackson.

 There will be a sign-up sheet downstairs today for Theophany house blessings.

 Next Sunday at 8:30am our catechumen Caitlin Strain will be baptized. And at the end of Divine Liturgy, Anthony Rizvi will be made a catechumen. Both are UB students. Glory to God! Please keep them and Caitlin’s sponsor Elizabeth Marquardt in your prayers.

 The Leave-taking of the Feast of Nativity is this Wednesday. We stop greeting each other with “Christ is Risen!” then. There is no fasting this week. Monday, January 18th, however, is a strict fast for the Eve of Theophany.

 The Bible study on the Book of Revelation will begin on Sunday, January 24.


Instead of “It is truly meet”, for the Feast:
    Refrain:  Magnify, O my soul, the most pure Virgin Theotokos, more honorable and more glorious than the heavenly hosts.
    Irmos:  I behold a strange and most glorious mystery: Heaven -- the cave ; the Cherubic throne -- the Virgin; the manger – the place where Christ lay, the uncontainable God Whom we magnify in song.

If you are visiting today:

 There are service books underneath the candle stand that you may borrow and follow along in. If you get lost, ask your neighbor to help you find the page.
 As you can see, we stand for most of the service. If you are not accustomed to this, please feel free to sit if you feel the need. No one will mind! You should still stand during the Scripture readings and when the priest comes through.
 In the Orthodox tradition, women cover their heads in church, and extra scarves can be borrowed from the candle stand at the entrance.
 You will see people making the sign of the cross and bowing. Feel free to follow suit or not, however you are comfortable. Again, no one will mind either way.
 Feel free to venerate (kiss) the icons and purchase a candle to light. Commemoration slips for Orthodox, living and reposed may be placed on the tray by the candle stand. Please write down how many prosphora you would like (suggested donation: $1/ea.)
 At the end of the service, you may come forward to venerate the hand-cross if you wish.
 At our parish we do not pass a collection plate. Gifts are voluntary and can be left at the candle stand.

 Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion must be an Orthodox Christian and make their Confession beforehand. Please speak with Fr. Peter for more information.

Confessions are heard at every evening service.