Theophany Divine Services: Divine Services for the Holy Theophany of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ begin on Friday morning with the Service of the Royal Hours at 9:00 AM; later that day, we will celebrate the Vesperal Divine Liturgy and the first Great Blessing of the Waters at 5:00 PM (please not this is a new start time). On Saturday morning, we will offer Orthros at 9:00 AM, with the second Great Blessing of the Waters and Divine Liturgy at approximately 9:45 AM..
House Blessings: during the days following the Feast of the Theophany (Jan. 6), it is customary for the Priest to visit the homes of his parishioners, bringing with him the “Jordan Water” for the traditional Theophany House Blessing. The First Great Sanctification of Water is performed at the end of the Divine Liturgy on the Eve of Theophany (Jan. 5). While that water may be given to the faithful to drink on that day and throughout the coming year, traditionally it is only the water from the Second Great Sanctification of Water, which is performed on the day of the Feast of Theophany (Jan. 6), that is called "Jordan Water" and used for the Theophany House Blessing. All who reside in the household should make every effort to be present for the Blessing. In anticipation of the arrival of the Priest to the house, the kandili (or candle), hand-censer and incense in the family’s icon corner should be prepared. If there is no icon corner, a small table should be placed on the eastern wall of the main room of the dwelling; the table, covered with a white cloth, should be set with one or more icons standing upright, a candle in a holder, a hand-censer and incense. A bowl along with several sprigs of basil (or evergreen) bound together with a string or ribbon should also be placed in the icon corner (or on the table), along with a clearly printed list of the Baptismal names of the members of the household. Upon the arrival of the Priest, he is to be greeted by all of the family members, each of whom asks the Priest’s blessing and reverences his right hand. Then a family member lights the kandili and hand-censer and turns off all televisions, radios, phones, etc. in the home. Lights should be turned on in all the rooms of the house that are to be blessed. Then the entire family gathers with the Priest before the icon corner (or table) to begin the Theophany House Blessing. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 8, Fr Andreas will be available for House Blessings. Please contact Father directly (priest@gocvt.org) or at the church office (802.862.2155, ext. 1) to schedule your family's 2024 Blessing.
Memorial Service: Sunday's 40-day Memorial is offered for the handmaid-of-God ANDRIANI, sister of Sotos Pappaseraphim. We will also memorialize our departed Parish Reader JOHN Oleszkiewicz, 6-months.
Vasilopeta: after Sunday morning Divine Services, Father Andreas will bless and distribute the traditional Vasilopeta. This year's ceremony will be held in the community center so that our Sunday School can join us.
Catechism/Inquirers Class: starting this Wednesday at 5:00 PM, Father Andreas will lead a class/seminar about our Holy Orthodox Faith. This class is open to everyone, and will meet every other Wednesday until the beginning of Great Lent.
For information about current events and calendar, please go here on the parish website.