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

 The New Spring of Great Lent is upon Us!!

***Please make every effort especially during The Great Fast to come to Church early on Sunday Mornings to attend both Orthros/Matins and The Divine Liturgy!***

***Remember with your extra EFFORT in working out your Salvation in fear and trembling; by attending these Divine Services, and ALL THE SERVICES of The Holy Church, The Holy Trinity will come and make their Dwelling in your Body and Soul!***

***By simply attending The Divine Services, you will be starting upon the path to Repentance; the process of being made into a Temple of The Holy Spirit and you will begin in time, to Glow with the Divine Energies of Holy God!!! What a Great and Glorious Gift of Love from Holy God!!!***

***Please do not miss these God given opportunities! They are offered for your Salvation!!! **

Saturday April 6th The 4th Souls Saturday-The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom with The Reading of The Parish Diptychs and the Blessing of Koliva 9:00AM - The Holy Saint Eutychius, Saint Methodius of Moravia & Saint Platonida

 Saturday April 6th Choir/Music Practice 4:00PM -  Topic: The 4th Tone and parts of Vespers and Matins. Everyone is welcome to attend!!! 

Saturday April 6th Confessions 5:00PM - Confessions will also be available after Vespers

Saturday April 6th Great Vespers 6:00PM- Saint John Climacus, The Repose of Saint Tikhon, Venerable George of Mitylene & The Martyr Calliopus

Sunday April 7th Orthros/Matins  8:30AM

Sunday April 7th The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great 10:00AM -The Fourth Sunday of The Great Fast - Saint John Climacus Sunday, The Repose of Saint Tikhon, Venerable George of Mitylene & The Martyr Calliopus

Wednesday April 10th Adult Catechism Class 6:00PM - Topic: The Final parts of the Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gifts and if we have time; The Medicine of Immortality: The Mystery of The Holy Eucharist

Wednesday April 10th The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gifts of Saint Gregory the Dialogist 7:00PM - The Holy Martyrs Terence, Africanus, Pompius & Maximus, Gregory V Patriarch of Constantinople

Thursday April 11th The Akathist Hymn to The Holy Theotokos 7:00PM

Friday April 12th The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gifts of Saint Gregory the Dialogist 7:00PM - The Holy Confessor Basil, Venerable Anthusa & Venerable Athanasia

Saturday April 13th The Full Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete 4:00PM  

Saturday April 13th Confessions -  Will be available after Vespers

 Saturday April 13th Great Vespers 6:00PM- Saint Mary of Egypt, Confessor Martin, Martyr Ardalion, & Martyrs Antony and John

 Sunday April 14th Orthros/Matins  8:30AM

 Sunday April 14th The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great 10:00AM -The Fifth Sunday of The Great Fast - Saint Mary of Egypt Sunday, Confessor Martin, Martyr Ardalion, & Martyrs Antony and John

Wednesday April 17th Adult Catechism Class 6:00PM - Topic: Continuing: The Medicine of Immortality: The Mystery of The Holy Eucharist

Wednesday April 17th The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gifts of Saint Gregory the Dialogist 7:00PM - The Venerable Simeon of Persia, Saint Acacius of Melitene & Saint Agapitus 

Thursday April 18th The Akathist Hymn to The Holy Theotokos 7:00PM

Friday April 19th The Liturgy of The Pre-Sanctified Gifts of Saint Gregory the Dialogist 7:00PM - The Venerable John of Old Laura, The Holy Martyr Paphnutius & The Venerable George of Pisidia

Saturday April 20th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 9:00AM - Lazarus Saturday & The Venerable Theodore Trichinas, Apostle Zacchaeus & The Child-Martyr Gabriel  

Saturday April 20th Baking Lazarus Cookies with Pani Christyn 10:30AM

Saturday April 20th Choir Practice for Holy and Great Week 3:00PM - If you would like to help sing the services during Great Week, You Must Come to this Practice! No exceptions!

Saturday April 20th Confessions 5:00PM -  Confessions are also available after Vespers

 Saturday April 20th Great Vespers 6:00PM- The Start of Holy and Great Week - The Glorious Entry of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem/Palm Sunday

 Sunday April 21st Orthros/Matins  8:30AM

 Sunday April 21st The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil The Great 10:00AM -The Start of Holy and Great Week - The Glorious Entry of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem/Palm Sunday

 Sunday April 21st Bridegroom Matins 6:00PM - Behold!!! The Bridegroom Comes at Midnight! Blessed are those that He finds watching and waiting with purity of heart for His Glorious Arrival! For they will be welcomed into His Divine Wedding Feast! 

 The Rest of the Liturgical Schedule for Holy and Great Week will appear Next Week in the Bulletin and as a Separate handout in the Back of the Church!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be Forever!

   Today the Holy Church celebrates a great and holy monk of the Sinai desert who was the the abbot of the monks of Mount Sinai and the writer of the great spiritual book “The Ladder of Divine Ascent.” This great saint is Saint John Climacus, or Saint John of the Ladder. Unfortunately, there is almost no information about Saint John’s early life or where he came from. Our Holy Tradition suggests that Saint John was born in the City of Constantinople around the year 570 AD and was the son of Saints Xenophon and Maria. Saint John went to Mount Sinai when he was 16 years old and placed himself under obedience to Abba Martyrius who served as his instructor, spiritual father, and spiritual guide.    

   After four years, Saint John was tonsured as a monk. At his tonsure, it was predicted that he would become a great wisdom figure in the Church, and for the next 19 years Saint John progressed in monastic obedience to his spiritual Father. After the death of his spiritual father, Abba Martyrius, Saint John decided to live a life of solitude in the desert in a wildness place called Thola, where he spent 40 long years laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears of repentance. After forty years of solitary asceticism in the desert, Saint John was chosen as the Abbot of Sinai when he was 75 years old. Saint John served as abbot for 4 years.  Towards the end of his life, the Lord granted him the gifts of clairvoyance which is the ability see future events and the sins of others, and likewise the ability of wonderworking.

   Why does the Church place the image of this desert monk before our eyes on this Fourth Sunday of Lent? We have the example of Saint John of the Ladder before us today to show us the way to perfection. In the Orthodox Church, the life of a Monastic is known as the Angelic Way of Life because a Monk or a Nun’s life is totally devoted and consecrated to God. They live a life of constant prayer and worship, like the angels in Heaven, both in private personal prayer and liturgical prayer in Church.  The monks in the monastery are fasting all year around from meat and are working hard in physical labor for their local monastery. The monks continually seek a life of repentance that is totally focused on the purification of their souls and of all sin and passion in order that they might experience God in this life and the next. We know this experience of God as Theosis which is the goal of the Christian life, this is the process by which we become like God by His gift of Grace which leads to our Salvation.

   This book written by Saint John is read by most Orthodox monasteries and Orthodox Christians in the world alike during the season of Lent because it illustrates an angelic ladder leading from earthly things of this world to the Holy of Holies, which is the Heavenly Kingdom. In this book there are thirty steps of spiritual perfection which all True Orthodox Christians are to practice. When we have completed these thirty steps, we will find ourselves with the citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom, who are the Saints, because we would have conquered all worldly passions which would have caused us to stumble.

   The Ladder of Divine Ascent begins with renunciation of the world and ends with God Who is love. The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written for monks, but we as Orthodox Christians living outside the monastery in this world can use this great work as a support in our spiritual life and likewise as a guide for ascending to God by climbing its steps of perfection.

   To help us understand how we are to journey on this ladder of perfection we need to refer to the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Ephesians. This Epistle said to us, “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise (men), redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

   In this scripture verse we find the nutshell meaning of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Those who are sleeping are irreligious men who are not patient and they pay no attention to God or the Church, thinking that because they are smart and witty that they know better than God and his Holy Church. Saint John of the Ladder tells us this about those who sleep in this type of sin; “The irreligious man is a mortal being with a rational nature, who of his own free will turns his back on life and thinks of his own Maker, the ever-existent, as non-existent. The lawless man is one who holds the law of God after his own depraved fashion, and thinks to combine faith in God with heresy that is directly opposed to Him.”  

   We are called as Orthodox Christians to live a life in the Light of Christ our Saviour. We do this by being the wise man from the scripture, by saying no to sin and worldly glory, using our God given free will to choose to truly be free which is only found by communing with God in prayer, fasting, and repentance. The sleep that we must awake from is the egoism of our modern world that is within all of us. This ego fills us with pride and wants to make the self a god and worship the creature instead of the creator.

   How do we break free of this egoism that binds us to ourselves and earthly things? We need to fully engage ourselves in the disciplines of the Great Fast and return to the true worship of our creator who is Almighty God one in the Holy Trinity. We take these steps towards God through prayer of the heart, by attending the services of the Church, and by receiving with true faith and love the Sacraments of confession and the Holy Eucharist. For it is in the Sacraments of the Church that we find the remission of our sins and life everlasting. In simply living the basis elements of the Christian life and by our active participation in the Life of the Church, we will be the God filled wise man that Ephesians talks about.

   Saint Augustine writes; “The times do not belong to you. Now you are migrants, strangers, and foreigners. Do not seek honors. Do not seek glory, authority or retribution. Bear all things. Only by patience will you redeem the time.” And likewise Saint John of the Ladder tells us this about the true Christian who is patient and is working to redeem the time our Lord has given us; “The true Christian is one who imitates Christ in thought, word and deed, as far as is possible for human beings, believing rightly and blamelessly in the Holy Trinity. The lover of God is he who lives in communion with all that is natural and sinless, and as far as he is able neglects nothing good. The continent man is he who in the midst of temptations, snares and turmoil, strives with all his might to imitate the ways of Him who is free from such wrongdoing.”

   Brothers and Sisters we need to learn from, and try to live by, the example of Saint John of the Ladder. We are to strive with the best of our ability and with the help of God to turn from temptation and sin and climb with all of our might this ladder of perfection. This is a lifelong upward climb that we are to undertake which will be a struggle, but if we do it with faith and love this climb will lead us to Salvation! Amen!

Grave Watch Sign ups

On Holy Friday Evening after The Procession of the Cross, The Procession of the Epitaphios and the Burial Service of Our Lord, and the Service of Lamentations; The Holy Church will be open the entire night for private prayer to be with Our Crucified and buried Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. This Holy Practice is known throughout Our Diocese as: The Grave Watch Hours of Prayer, this is an opportunity to watch and pray with Our Lord before His Great and Holy Resurrection. The Grave Watch will extend through the whole night on Great Friday into Great Saturday Morning until the Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM. I pray that all of you take advantage of spending a short hour with Our Lord on this Most Holy Night of the year. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the coffee Hall Doors for everyone who would like to participate.   

Flower Donations For Pascha

Holy Week and Pascha are quickly appoaching and we would like to decorate Our Holy Church with Flowers. As is the custom of the parish we will accept donations to help with the cost of the Flowers. Also, if anyone would like to purchase Flowers in memory of a departed loved one this is also a worthy practice. For anyone interested in supporting the purchase of the Pascha Flowers in either respect listed above, please see or contact Joyce Peters.   

Church Tile Project Up-Date

I am happy and excited to announce that our Church Floor Tile Project is moving right along as decided and planned by Our Church General Council Meeting. The color of tile has been chosen, the materials have been paid for, and the mosiac medallions for the sanctuary step are currently being made by our friend and local artist Jeff Travers, who has generously chosen to donate his art work to Our Holy Church! If anyone would like to help pay for the cost of the new flooring as a gift to the Church or as a donation in memory of a Loved One please let Father Vincent or Michael Peters know as soon as possible!! The removal of the old carpet and the installation of the new tile will begin on May 6th which is the week after bright week!

Painting Class

If anyone is interested in painting a guided religious themed painting then sign-up for this event!! There is a local artist that Doris told me about that goes from Church to Church offering this class and if I'm not mistaking she provides everything for the class from canvas, to oil paints, brushes and of course the 2 or three hour instruction for only $35 dollars. The artist's name escapes Me, but an example of her work that she offers instruction on how to paint is in the coffee room on the back table. Please see Doris or another member of the Ladies Altar Society for further details!

OCMC Alms Giving Box Update

Thank you to all who are actively heeding Our Lord's call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thristy, cloth the naked, and help to spread the Gospel to the four corners of the earth! Thank you for your continuing participation in this project to support our Orthodox Missions throughout the World. When you have finished filling your coin boxes please tape them up so they do not fall apart because of weight or so that the money does not escape. Then everyone can begin bring them to the Church when they are full and we will continue to collect them until Palm Sunday which is the 21st of April. So, all Coin Boxes should be returned to the Church by April 21st and then we will send them to OCMC the next day.

Orthodox Prison Ministry Almsgiving Basket

I spoke about this new opportunity for supporting the Prison Ministries last Sunday. There will be an Alms giving box in the back of the Church to support the Orthodox Prison Ministry for all who would like to heed the call of Our Lord to "visit" ie. "Support" those in the Prisons, please give generously from your heart! This collect will be taken up until Palm Sunday April the 21st and will then be sent to the Orthodox Prison Ministries Office the next day. Thank you in advance for your love and support for this worthy cause!

Bowling Night/Day Outing - Possible Dates 

 Put on your bowling shoes and step up to the line, it's bowling time!!! Pani and I were thinking of our next parish event that was Lenten Friendly, so we checked out Mountaineer Lanes Family Fun Center here in Bluefield!

Possible Dates for Bowling are:

Saturday April 6th after 6PM Vespers

Sunday April 7th after Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour

Saturday April 13th after 6PM Vespers

Sunday April 14th after Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour

Everyone Please talk about these dates, and let us know what you all prefer and the arrangements will be made at Mountaineer Lanes!!!

Saint Mary's Book Store News

 There are new item's for sale in the Book Store which include a new Book by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlahos; "Entering the Orthodox Church" which is a catechism and instruction on Baptism for adults, the price is $15.00.

Other new items include:

The "Blue" Prayer Book's printed by Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston Massachusetts; "A Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians," the price is $18.00.

Other Prayer Books include:

Our very own Diocesan Book entitled, "Come to Me" which is available now for $18.00.

We also have, "The Book of Hours" which was first created and printed here at Saint Mary's Orthodox Church in Elkhorn! The price for this prayer book is also, $18.00.  

The Book "Great Lent" by Fr. Alexander Schmemann is now available for $15.00!!!

It is the Purple Book on the back table in the Coffee Hall! This Book is a wonder meditation book on the 40 days of Lent, a spiritual companion that would be useful to all of us as we journey through Great Lent together.

 We also have the new Book entitled; "Lenten Spring" by Fr. Thomas Hopko which is another meditation book for the season of Great Lent, the price is also $15.00 for this Book.  

There are many new icons that are available in the Book Store as well, please visit the Book Store to check out these new items!

Please see Ginny or Sophia for assistance with Book Store purchases.