Welcome to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church

Welcome to The Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Christian Church (Saint Mary's) which is a parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church of the USA whose presiding Bishop is His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa. The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese is an Autonomous Diocese under the spiritual protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople of which His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the ruling Patriarch.

We are thankfully to Almighty God that you are here in God's House to Worship with us Today!

If you are new to the Orthodox Church you will find that our worship is abit different than what you maybe used to, or it maybe entirely new all together! It's okay!!! All of us were new to the Faith at one time or another, but we encourage you to participate as you feel comfortable. The Blue Book in your pew has the whole Service of what we call the Divine Liturgy in it so you can follow along.

Please, if you have any questions about what you see or hear today at the Divine Liturgy, we have a Coffee Hour in the Church Hall after service that you are invited to attend! Come and join us for fellowship to have something to eat and have all your questions answered either by Our Pastor Father Vincent or a friendly member of the Church.

If you have been on a long or short spiritual journey looking for the True Church you have found it here in the Orthodox Church!

We pray that what you find and experience here is none other than the peace of Christ Jesus Our Risen Lord and the Kingdom of Heaven!

If you are ready or interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian please see Father Vincent at Coffee Hour or contact him at (570) 640-2517 or email him at vincedranginis@gmail.com

Liturgical/Class Schedule

Saturday February 9th Choir/Music Practice 4:00PM - Topic: The 4thTone and parts of Vespers and Matins. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Saturday February 9th Great Vespers 6:00PM - The Heiromartyr Haralambos and Virgin Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina, and Paula

Sunday February 10th Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10AM - Zaccheus Sunday/Heiromartyr Haralambos and Virgin Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina, and Paula

Tuesday February 12th Choir/Music Practice 6:00PM - Topic: The Divine Liturgy. Everyone is Welcome!

Wednesday February 13th Orthodox Catechism Class 6:30PM - Topic: First Section of the Public Part of the Divine Liturgy

Saturday February 16th Choir/Music Practice 4:00PM - Topic: The 5th Tone and Parts of Vespers and Matins. Everyone is welcome to attend!!

Saturday February 16th Vespers 6:00PM- Great Martyr Theodore Tyro, Venerable Roman of Ternovo, The Relics of Menas Alexandria

Sunday February 17th Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM - Great Martyr Theodore Tyro, Venerable Roman of Ternovo, The Relics of Menas Alexandria

Thursday February 21st "Baking with Father Vincent" 5:30PM - Topic: The Holy Tradition of Prosphora and Artoklasia Baking. Everyone is Welcome to attend both bakers and spectators!

I am happy to announce the return of Sunday Morning Matins!

Sunday Morning Matins or Orthros as the Greeks call it, will be celebrated starting at 8:30am every Sunday Morning before the Divine Liturgy, and will flow right into the Divine Liturgy which will still begins at 10:00am as usual.

The first Sunday that Orthros will be celebrated is March 17th starting at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy. This is also The Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is a very special day for me because that was the day that I became an Orthodox Christian!! Remember to bring your favorite Icon that day for our Icon procession!

Please make every effort to come to Church early on Sunday Mornings to attend both Orthros and Divine Liturgy!

The hymns of the Matins Service just like the Hymns of the Vespers are meant to teach us the God Saving Theology of Our Holy Orthodox Faith!! These services, just like the Divine Liturgy are meant to transform the human person both in Soul and Body by humbling us to bring us to repentence and confession, and to deify us that we may become all that Jesus Christ is in His Energies!! Particularly, through making every effort to attend all the Services of Vespers, Matins, The Divine Liturgy, and by entering into a life of repentance through regular Confession, we will be transfigured into the True Sons and Daughters of God!! Then, we will together and individually, Aquire The Holy Spirit and become 'gods' by the Holy Trinity's Divine Energies!!

Working in His Vineyard,

Father Vincent

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The joyful message of the resurrection* was heard by the faithful women from the angel:* having been freed from the ancestral curse,* they boasted to the Apostles:* "triumphantly death has been overcome!* Christ our God has risen,* granting great mercy to the world."

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Haralambos in the Fourth Tone

An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ God art thou, an ever-resplendent lamp, O Haralampus most wise, which shineth through the earth; in martyric contest thou hast shined on the whole world, and thou hast dispelled the moonless night of the idols. Now boldly intercede thou with Christ that we may all be saved.

Resurrectional Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. O my Savior and Redeemer, as God You lifted fallen man from the bondage of the grave. You shattered the gates of death. As the Master, You arose on the third day.

Resurrectional Theotokion in the Fourth Tone

Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. O Birth Giver of God, the mystery hidden from eternity, and unknown even to the angels, has been revealed in you to those who live on earth; this mystery is the Incarnation of God: Christ, Who of His own will suffered crucifixion for us, to raise the first man He had fashioned, He Who saved our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

From Father Vincent's Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be Forever!

Today we hear in the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the story of Zacchaeus. This is a story of momentous signifiance because it is a portrait of our struggle to be true Orthodox Christians in our world today. We must remind ourselves who Zacchaeus was in the world before his conversion to Christ and what he became after that conversion. Before his conversion Zacchaeus was the Chief tax-collector in Jericho, a Jew by birth who was despised by his brethern because he worked for the Rome Government who oppressed the Jews and who stoled from them. Zacchaeus was likened to his Roman comrades, for he was known in his community to be a public sinner and a thief, taking double or triple what the assigned tax was in order that he might become rich.

But, on this particular day Jesus was passing through Jericho and something inside of Zacchaeus was shaken by the Divine Power of the presence of Jesus Christ, so much so that this wealthy chief tax-collector dressed in all his finery climbed a Sycomore Tree (which was the tallest type of tree in Jericho) in order to see Jesus. He climbed this tree because the Gospel tells us that he was short of stature. The Holy Fathers of the Church tell us in their writes that Zacchaeus was not only physically short of stature but also he was spiritually short of stature, in fact he was spiritually dead!!! His soul was so spiritually dead that he was so absorbed with wealth and riches that he stole the last cent from his brothers and sister purely out of greed.

We must ask ourselves are we the Zacchaeus of today's Gospel, being spiritually dead because we value riches over God??? Are we spiritually dead because we are spiritually complacent or satisfied with only doing the minimum of what our Holy Church asks us to do??? Are our ears closed to hearing the small voice of God in our hearts asking us to repent, go to confession, and return to Holy God who is our Life???

But, the day Jesus Christ came into Zacchaeus' life everything changed!!! The eyes of Zacchaeus in both body and soul were opened and he communed with the Divine Energies of the Living God! In seeing Jesus his dead soul was brought back to life for he beheld from that Sycomore his very Creator and Life of the World. When Zacchaeus saw Jesus Christ, the very light of Life walking towards him, the heart within that desired money and pleasure was replaced by a living heart of Compassion and Love for his fellow brothers and sisters and he restored to them everything that he had stoled plus more!!

Zacchaeus, after his conversion became an Apostle of Jesus Christ! After the Ascension of the Lord, St. Zacchaeus accompanied Saint Peter on his travels. Holy Tradition tells us that Zacchaeus followed St. Peter to Caesarea, where Peter appointed him the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine where Zacchaeus preached the Gospel and took care of his flock until the end of his earthly life and he died in the peace of his Savior Jesus Christ.

We like Zacchaeus need to desire to be with Christ and throw away our spiritual short "staturedness," so that we might begin our preparation for Great Lent with an open Heart and Soul ready to be renewed and transfigured by the Divine Energies of the God man Jesus Christ! The Lenten Triodion begins next Sunday let us wake up and start on the right spiritual foot so that we might experience the Risen Christ in all His Divine Glory on the Bright Day of Pascha. Amen!!!

Saints and Feasts

February 10

Hieromartyr Haralambos

This Saint was a priest of the Christians in Magnesia, the foremost city of Thessaly, in the diocese having the same name. He contested during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. At the time of his martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age.

St. Haralampus is commemorated on February 10th, with the exception when this date falls on the Saturday of the Souls preceding Lent or on Clean Monday (the first day of Lent), in which case the feast is celebrated on February 9th.

February 11

Blaise the Holy Martyr of Sebastia

Saint Blaise was Bishop of Sebastia. Divine grace, through which he healed the diseases of men and beasts, and especially of infants, made his name famous. He contested for the Faith under Licinius in the year 316. Saint Blaise is invoked for the healing of throat ailments.

February 13

Symeon the Myrrhbearer of Serbia

Saint Symeon (in the world, the ruler Stephen Nemanja), after capably governing Serbia in piety, wisdom, and justice for many years during the second half of the twelfth century, renounced all rule and earthly glory to become a monk, to struggle in fasting and prayer. Thereafter he went to the Holy Mountain Athos where, together with his son Saint Sabbas (see Jan. 14), he founded the Monastery of Hilandar. After his death, a fragrant and healing myrrh came forth from his holy relics. When Stephen Nemanja put on the monastic habit with the name of Symeon, his wife Anna followed his example, receiving the monastic name of Anastasia; she is commemorated as a Saint on June 21.

February 15

Onesimus the Apostle of the 70

This Apostle, who was from Colossae, was a bond-servant of that Philemon to whom the Apostle Paul addressed his epistle. Onesimus escaped from Philemon and fled to Rome, where he became a disciple of Saint Paul. Saint Paul brought him to the Faith of Christ, and then sent him back to his master, who in turn gave him his freedom and sent him back to Rome again, where he ministered to Saint Paul. Later, he was seized because he was a Christian and was sent to Puteoli, where he was beaten to death with clubs. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on November 22 with the holy Apostles Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Faith is the beginning of our union with God: the true believers are the stone of the church of God, prepared for the edifice of God the Father, which is raised up to the heights by the power of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Cross and help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The works of faith are love, peace, longsuffering, mercy, humility, bearing one's cross and life by the Spirit. True faith cannot remain without works. One who truly believes will also surely perform good works.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Unknown, 19th century

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations

Saint Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

Saint Mary's News

Parish Council/General Parish Meetings

The following dates are for both our next Parish Council and the General Parish Meeting.

Parish Council Meeting Today Sunday February 10th after Divine Liturgy!

The General Parish wide Meeting will be held on Sunday March 3rd after Divine Liturgy!

Everyone is encouraged to attend the Parish Wide Meeting to discuss the different affairs of Our Church, particularly to discuss the celebrations of the upcoming Lenten Season and Pascha.

Parish Snow Tubing Event Date Set for Sunday February 24th

A transcribed email from Doris about our Parish Snow Tubing Event! Please let Doris know ASAP if you are attending!!! Ok, date has been set on Feb. 24^th. Please let Doris know if you plant to attend. See below, everyone is welcome to go if you have a friend or family member also let them know.

Here are the details. Group rate will be $32.50 for 1:00 to 5:00 pm and $38.00 for those brave enough to do 1:00 to 10:00 pm!! By writing one check from the church will allow us to not pay sales tax. Bib rate is still $11.00. Height requirement is 44 inches. There is a child’s park for those under 44 inches for $5.00. You can pay St Mary’s up to the 24th of Feb. Then I will write the one check that day.

I need a head count by the 17th of Feb. to make reservations.

Sounds like it will be a fun time for fellowship!!!

Rectory House Warming/Open House February 17th After Divine Liturgy!

All are welcome to attend the Rectory House Warming/Open House to welcome our New Pastor Father Vincent and his lovely wife Pani Christyn! After Divine Liturgy on February 17th all are invited down to the Rectory for Lunch and to see the new paint by our resident painter Pani Christyn! This will take the place of coffee hour that Sunday, so come extra hungry for the Eucharist and then a nice Lunch at the Rectory!

Diocesan Assessments

Diocesan Assessments are past due! They were to be sent to our Chancery in Johnstown on January 1st. The assentment dues per parish member is $75 dollars. Please if you have not paid or are unable to pay the whole amount please see Michael Peters or Father Vincent. To paid your assentment please drop it into the offering basket on Sunday Morning and if paying by check please make out the check to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church. Thank you for your support of our Diocese!

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins