The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
The Hours
Brief prayer services traditionally celebrated at specific times of day: First Hour (6 AM), Third Hour (9 AM), Sixth Hour (noon), and Ninth Hour (3 PM). Each Hour includes psalms, troparia, and prayers appropriate to that time of day. These services sanctify the day and connect us to Christ's Passion, as they commemorate specific moments in His crucifixion and death.
All-Night Vigil
A lengthy service combining Vespers and Matins, traditionally celebrated on the eve of Sundays and major feasts. The All-Night Vigil includes the singing of "Lord, I Call," the Magnificat, the Great Doxology, and numerous psalms and hymns. This service prepares the faithful spiritually for the upcoming feast.
Vespers
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
Matins (Orthros)
The morning prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at dawn. Also called Orthros in Greek tradition, this service includes the reading of the Gospel, the Great Doxology, and numerous psalms and hymns. Matins prepares the faithful for the day and is often celebrated immediately before the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days.
Holy Confession
The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.
Nativity of Christ
The celebration of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. The feast is preceded by a 40-day Nativity Fast and celebrated with the Divine Liturgy, special hymns like the Troparion of the Nativity, and the blessing of homes.
Compline
A brief evening prayer service traditionally said before sleep. Compline includes psalms asking for God's protection through the night and prayers for peaceful rest. During Great Lent, Great Compline is celebrated with additional prayers and the beautiful Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. The service emphasizes trust in God's care during our vulnerable hours of sleep.
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 11AM: Parish School Christmas Celebration (Yolka)
Theophany (Epiphany)
The manifestation of Christ as God through His baptism in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. During this feast, water is blessed in a special service, and many parishes perform the Great Blessing of Waters. The feast celebrates the revelation of the Trinity and Christ's divine nature.
Blessing of Holy Water
The sanctification of water through special prayers, creating holy water for blessing and spiritual protection. The Great Blessing occurs at Theophany, while the Small Blessing can happen throughout the year. Holy water is used to bless homes, objects, and people, serving as a tangible reminder of our baptism and God's sanctifying presence in the material world.
Small Blessing of Waters
A service of blessing water for use throughout the year, distinct from the Great Blessing at Theophany. Also called the Lesser Blessing of Waters, this service can be celebrated on any day and uses a similar structure to the Great Blessing but with fewer hymns and ceremonies. The blessed water is used for blessing homes, objects, and people, and is given to the faithful to drink for spiritual and physical healing. The service emphasizes water as a gift from God and a symbol of purification and life.
Synaxis of John the Baptist
The gathering to honor St. John the Baptist on January 7th, the day after Theophany. This synaxis celebrates John's role as the Forerunner who baptized Christ and his witness to Christ as "the Lamb of God." The feast connects John's ministry to the Theophany celebration, emphasizing his preparation for Christ's revelation.