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

Bright Saturday May 4th - The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 9:00AM - Bright Saturday & The Virgin Martyr Pelagia, Heiromartyr Silvanus & Heirmartyr Albian

Saturday May 4th Choir Practice 4:00PM - Tone 1 If you would like join the choir group please come and practice singing with us! Everyone is Welcome! We will be going over parts of Vespers, The Divine Liturgy, and Orthros.

Saturday May 4th Confessions 5:00PM - Confessions are also available after Vespers

Saturday May 4th Great Vespers 6:00PM- Saint Thomas the Apostle

Sunday May 5th Orthros/Matins 8:30AM

Sunday May 5th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM -The Second Paschal Sunday/Saint Thomas the Apostle

Sunday May 5th The Short Memorial Service - Immediately after 10AM Divine Liturgy in Blessed Memory of the Priest Father William George on his second year anniverary of his falling asleep in Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ! Christ is Risen!!!

From May 7th to May 10th Father Vincent and Pani Christyn will be away at Camp Nazareth for the Annual Priest Convocation with His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory. In case of an Emergency please contact Father Samuel in Beckley at (304) 541-8550. If Father Samuel is not able to be of assistance please contact Father Vincent and he will make arrangements to return.

Saturday May 11th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 9:30AM - The Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius Equals to The Apostles and Teachers of the Slavs

Saturday May 11th Choir Practice 4:00PM - Tone 2 If you would like join the choir group please come and practice singing with us! Everyone is Welcome! We will be going over parts of Vespers, The Divine Liturgy, and Orthros.

Saturday May 11th Confessions 5:00PM - Confessions are also available after Vespers

Saturday May 11th Great Vespers 6:00PM- The Myrrh Bearing Women

Sunday May 12th Orthros/Matins 8:30AM

Sunday May 12th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM -The Third Paschal Sunday/The Myrrh Bearing Women

Wednesday May 15th Adult Catechism/Bible Class 6:30PM - Topic: Continuing with The Eucharist and The Resurrection

Saturday May 18th Choir Practice 4:00PM - Tone 3 If you would like join the choir group please come and practice singing with us! Everyone is Welcome! We will be going over parts of Vespers, The Divine Liturgy, and Orthros.

Saturday May 18th Confessions 5:00PM - Confessions are also available after Vespers

Saturday May 18th Great Vespers 6:00PM- The Paralytic

Sunday May 19th Orthros/Matins 8:30AM

Sunday May 19th The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM -The Fourth Paschal Sunday/The Paralytic

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life!

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

Your Tomb was sealed with a stone by the Jews,* and the soldiers guarded Your most pure Body;* yet You arose on the third day, O Savior,* giving life to the world.* The Heavenly Powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* "Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your plan of Salvation, for You alone love mankind!"

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Seventh Tone

Though the tomb had been sealed, * from the tomb You arose, O Life and Christ our God. * Though the door had been locked * You appeared among the Disciples, O Resurrection of all; * and thus You restored an upright spirit for us * according to Your great mercy.

Temple Apolytikion of The Dormition of the Theotokos in the First Tone

O Birth Giver of God, in giving birth you retained Virginity;* and in your falling asleep you did not forsake the world.* You are the Mother of Life and have passed into Life,* and by your prayers have delivered our souls from death.

Resurrectional Kontakion in the First Tone

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit! Being God, You Rose in Glory from the Tomb,* O Lord, restoring Life to the World and conquering death.* All humanity exalts You as God.* Adam rejoices and Eve, delivered from her bonds, glories and cries out to You:* "O Christ, You are the Resurrection of All!"

Saint Thomas Sunday Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Thomas placed his restless hand* into Your Life-giving side, O Christ our God;* and since You entered, although the doors were locked,* he cried to You with the other Apostles:* "You are my Lord and my God!"

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, * yet You destroyed the power of death. * As Conqueror You arose, O Christ God, * saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Rejoice!", * granting peace to Your Apostles, * and offering resurrection to the fallen.

Resurrectional Theotokion in the First Tone

Now and Ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen! O Virgin, when Gabriel hailed you,* at the sound of His Voice the Lord of all was conceived in you.* You became a Holy Temple, as was foretold by David the Just!* Bearing Your Creator, you became more spacious than the Heavens.* Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who set us free by being born of you!

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20.

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."

Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Saints and Feasts

May 05

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.

May 05

Irene the Great Martyr

Saint Irene was the daughter of a princelet called Licinius; named Penelope by her parents, through a divine revelation she was brought to faith in Christ and at Baptism was renamed Irene. In her zeal for piety she broke in pieces all the idols of her father, who commanded that she be trampled underfoot by horses. But while she remained unharmed, one of the horses rose up and cast down her father, killing him. By her prayer she raised him to life again, and he believed and was baptized. Afterwards, in many journeyings, Saint Irene suffered torments and punishments for her faith, but was preserved by the power of God, while working dread miracles and converting many thousands of souls. At last she came to Ephesus, where she fell asleep in peace, in the first half of the fourth century. Two days after her death, her gravestone was found lifted off, and her grave empty. At least two churches were dedicated to Saint Irene in Constantinople, and she is also the patroness of the Aegean island of Thera, which is commonly called Santorin (or Santorini), a corruption of "Saint Irene."

May 06

Job the Prophet

This faithful servant of God, the most perfect icon of all virtue, and especially of patience, was the son of Zare and Bosorra, and was the fifth from Abraham. He was true, blameless, just, devout, and abstained from every evil thing. He was very wealthy and blessed by God in all things, as was none other of the inhabitants of the land of Ausis, his homeland, which lies between Idumea and Arabia. But by divine permission, that he might be tried, he was suddenly deprived of his children, wealth, glory, and every consolation, and was covered with grievous sores over all his body. Some say that he endured courageously in this unparalleled calamity for seven whole years. Then, by divine blessing, he was restored again to a prosperity even more illustrious than the first. Having lived after his affliction for 170 years, he reposed full of days at the age of 240, in the year 1350 B.C. Others say that his affliction lasted only one year, and that he lived thereafter 140 years, living 210 years altogether.

May 07

Commemoration of the Precious Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in 351 A.D.

On this day in the year 351, not long after Cyril had succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem, during the reign of Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine the Great, on the day of Pentecost, the sign of the Cross appeared over Jerusalem. Saint Cyril, in his letter to the Emperor Constantius, says, "At about the third hour of the day, an enormous Cross, formed of light, appeared in the heaven above holy Golgotha and reaching to the holy Mount of Olives, being seen not by one or two only, but manifest with perfect clarity to the whole multitude of the city; not, as one might suppose, rushing swiftly past in fancy, but seen openly above the earth many hours in plain sight, and overcoming the beams of the sun with its dazzling rays" (PG 33:1 16q).

May 08

Synaxis of the Holy Powder (or manna) which emitted from the tomb of Saint John the Theologian

The feast today in honour of the holy Apostle John commemorates the miracle taking place each year in Ephesus, in which a certain dust or powder, called manna, suddenly poured forth from his tomb and was used by the faithful for deliverance from maladies of both soul and body. For an account of his life, see September 26.

May 09

The Holy Prophet Esaias (Isaiah)

The Prophet Esaias, the son of Amos, was descended from a royal tribe. He prophesied in the days of Ozias (who is also called Azarias), Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekias, Kings of Judah. About 681 B.C, in the reign of Manasses, the son and successor of the most pious Hezekias, when this Prophet was censuring Manasses' impiety and lawlessness, he was sawn asunder with a wooden saw, and thus received a martyr's end.

Of all the Prophets, he is called the most eloquent because of the beauty and loftiness of his words. His book of prophecy, divided into sixty-six chapters, is ranked first among the greater Prophets. The Fifth Ode of the Psalter, "Out of the night my spirit waketh at dawn unto Thee, O God . . ." is taken from his book. It was this holy Prophet who foretold that a Virgin would conceive in the womb (7:14); that not an ambassador, nor an angel, but the Lord Himself would save fallen man (63:9); that the Messiah would suffer, bearing our sins (ch. 53). His name means "Yah is helper."

May 10

Simon the Zealot & Apostle

This Apostle was one of the Twelve, and was called Simon the Cananite by Matthew, but Simon the Zealot by Luke (Matt. 10:4; Luke 6:15). The word "Cananite" used by Matthew is believed to be derived from kana, which in the Palestinian dialect of Aramaic means "zealot" or 'zealous"; Luke therefore translates the meaning of "Cananite." Later accounts say that he was the bridegroom at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord Jesus changed the water into wine, making this the first of His miracles (John 2:1-11); according to some, he is called Cananite because he was from Cana (according to others, from the Land of Canaan). Simon means "one who hears."

May 11

Methodius & Cyril, Equal-to-the Apostles Illuminators of the Slavs

Born in Thessalonica, Saint Methodius was a military man before becoming a monk on Mount Olympus. His brother Constantine, known as the Philosopher because of his erudition, was Librarian at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Constantinople; he later became a monk with the name of Cyril. The Emperor Michael sent him with his brother Methodius to the Khazars in response to their petition for teachers to expound to them the Christian Faith. On their way, they stayed in Cherson, where they recovered from the Black Sea the relics of Saint Clement of Rome. Later, they were called by Prince Rostislav of Moravia to instruct his people in the Orthodox Faith (Saint Rostislav died a martyr's death and is celebrated Oct. 15). The Saints devised an alphabet for the Slavs, and used it to translate the Greek books into the language of the people. In their apostolic labours throughout the Balkans, the holy brothers were slandered by certain Germanic bishops who opposed the use of the vernacular in the church services. Summoned to court at Rome in 867, they presented their Slavonic translations to Pope Adrian II, who received them with love and full approval. Two years later, Saint Cyril reposed in Rome on February 14 and was buried in the Church of Saint Clement. Saint Methodius was made Bishop of Moravia, but at the intrigues of certain Latin clergy, was cast into prison by the "Holy Roman Emperor" (the Germanic Emperor of the West), where he was cruelly tormented for some three years. In 874, through the defence of Pope John VIII, he was freed and made Archbishop of Moravia. Because he reproved the lax morals of the German priests in Moravia, he was soon accused of heresy by them, and was forbidden to celebrate the Liturgy in Slavonic. Summoned to Rome again in 879, he was completely exonerated and allowed once again to use the Slavonic tongue for the divine services. He reposed on April 6, 885.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For great is the dignity of the priests. ... And hold them very exceedingly in honor; for you indeed care about your own affairs, and if you order them well, you give no account for others; ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 86, 4th Century

... but the priest even if he rightly order his own life, if he have not an anxious care for yours and that of all those around him, will depart with the wicked into hell; and often when not betrayed by his own conduct, he perishes by yours, if he have not rightly performed all his part.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 86, 4th Century

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1) And here He pronounces blessed not the disciples only, but those also who after them should believe.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 87 on John 20, 4th Century

For though the Apostles themselves modestly ascribe it all to this cause, declaring that they did these things in the name of Christ, yet at the same time the life and noble conduct of the men helped to produce this effect. "And believers were more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Observe, how he now no longer tells the number of them that believe; at such a rate was the faith making way even to an immense multitude, and so widely was the Resurrection proclaimed. So then "the people magnified them:" but they were now no longer lightly to be despised as once they were: for in a little moment, at a single turn of the scale, such have been the effects produced by the fisherman and by the publican! Earth was become a heaven, for manner of life, for boldness of speech, for wonders, for all besides; like Angels were they looked upon with wonder:

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 12 on Acts IV, 4th Century

From Father Vincent's Desk

Dear Parish Family,

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Today on the Second Sunday of the Paschal Season once again as on the First Pascha, for Us Faithful Orthodox Christians it is again; The Feast of Feasts, The Holy, The Glorious, and The Radiant Holy Pascha, The Glorious Resurrection of Our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ; Pani Christyn and I greet you all with over flowing joy in our hearts and tears in our eyes and we cry with the loudest voices possible: "CHRIST IS RISEN!!!" "INDEED HE IS RISEN!!!"

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On this Most Glorious and Joy Filled Day of The Sunday of Saint Thomas the Apostle who doubted but through touching and seeing the Risen Christ believed in the Resurrection; as we continue to celebrate with great joy in our hearts Holy Pascha, I share with you the First Paschal Homily of Our Father among the Saints Gregory the Theologian.

IT IS THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION and my beginning has good auspices (Divine or Prophetic Token). Let us then keep the Festival with splendour, and let us embrace one another. Let us say“Brethren” even to those who hate us; much more to those who have done or suffered aught out of love for us. Let us forgive all offences for the Resurrection’s sake: let us give one another pardon; that He Who today rose again from the dead may renew (us) also by His Spirit; and clothing (us) with the New Man, may give me to His New Creation, to those who are begotten after God, as a good modeler and teacher for Christ, willingly both dying with Him and rising again with Him.

Yesterday the Lamb was slain and the door-posts were anointed, and Egypt bewailed her firstborn, and the Destroyer passed up over, and the Seal was dreadful and reverend, and we were walled in with the Precious Blood. Today we have clean escaped from Egypt and from Pharaoh; and there is none to hinder us from keeping a Feast to the Lord our God -- the Feast of our Departure; or from celebrating that Feast, not in the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, and carrying with us nothing of ungodly and Egyptian leaven.

Yesterday I was crucified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; today I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with Him. But let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us: you will think perhaps I am going to say gold, or silver, or woven work or transparent and costly stones, the mere passing material of earth, that remains here below, and is for the most part always possessed by bad men, slaves of the world and of the Prince of the world. Let us offer ourselves, the possession most precious to God, and most fitting; let us give back to the Image what is made after the Image. Let us recognize our Dignity; let us honour our Archetype; let us know the power of the Mystery, and for what Christ died.

Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God’s for His sake, since He for our sake became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich, He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonoured that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us. But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours!!!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

Saint Mary's News

Ladies Altar Society Easter Flower Donations

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! The Ladies Altar Society purchased all the flowers for our beautiful Holy Week and Pascha Sunday celebrations which totaled $700.00 dollars. But, they have only collected $240.00 dollars of the seven hundred which they spent. If anyone is interested in helping defray the cost of this flower purchase please kindly see one of our Ladies Altar Society members to make your donation. Thank you very much in advance for your generosity!!

Clergy Convocation May 7th -10th at Camp Nazerath

Father Vincent and Pani Christyn will be away from the parish the week after Bright Week; May 7th through May 10th for the Annual Clergy Convocation with Metropolitan Gregory at Camp Nazerath in Mercer Pennsylvania. If here are any Emergencies during this time, place contact Father Samuel Haddad at (304) 541-8550. If Father Samuel is unreachable place contact Father Vincent and he will make the necessary arrangements to return.

Church Tile Project Up-Date

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, this Monday! While the new flooring is being installed we will be celebrating all Divine Services in the Social Hall, the one side of the Hall will be for worship and the other side for Coffee Social.

Thank you to All!!!

Thank you to all who helped and gave their time to decorate Our Holy Church throughout the Great Fast Season and for the celebration of Holy Pascha!! Pani Christyn and I would like to thank all of you for helping us serve you our parish family throughout this Holy Time of the year! May our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ Who is Risen from the Dead Bless you and your families abundantly with every Good Gift of His Love for your selfless service to His Holy Church!!! Rejoice now in the fruit of your labors!!! Christ Is Truly Risen!!!! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!!!

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Welcome to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church

Liturgical/Class Schedule

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Seventh Tone

Temple Apolytikion of The Dormition of the Theotokos in the First Tone

Resurrectional Kontakion in the First Tone

Saint Thomas Sunday Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Resurrectional Theotokion in the First Tone

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

Thomas Sunday

Irene the Great Martyr

Job the Prophet

Commemoration of the Precious Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in 351 A.D.

Synaxis of the Holy Powder (or manna) which emitted from the tomb of Saint John the Theologian

The Holy Prophet Esaias (Isaiah)

Simon the Zealot & Apostle

Methodius & Cyril, Equal-to-the Apostles Illuminators of the Slavs

Wisdom of the Fathers

From Father Vincent's Desk

Saint Mary's News