The Great Fast or Lent is the period of preparation leading up to Holy Week and Pascha. The Lenten Triodion governs the divine services of Great Lent as well as those of the Weeks of Preparation preceding Great Lent. Lent is a Middle English word meaning "spring." The Great Fast has come to be called Lent by association; it is called "great" to distinguish it from the other fasts.
Observance of Great Lent is characterized by abstention from many foods, intensified private and public prayer, personal improvement, and almsgiving. The foods traditionally abstained from are meat and dairy products, fish, wine and oil. (According to some traditions, only olive oil is abstained from; in others, all vegetable oils.) Since strict fasting is canonically forbidden on the Sabbath and the Lord's Day, wine and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. If the Feast of the Annunciation falls during Great Lent, then fish, wine and oil are permitted on that day.
Besides the additional liturgical celebrations described below, Orthodox Christians are expected to pay closer attention to their private prayers and to say more of them more often. The Fathers have referred to fasting without prayer as "the fast of the demons" since the demons do not eat according to their incorporeal nature, but neither do they pray.
During the weekdays of Great Lent, there is a liturgical fast when the eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated. However, since it is considered especially important to receive the Holy Mysteries during this season the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, also called the Liturgy of St. Gregory the Dialogist, may be celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays. At this vesperal service some of the Body and Blood of Christ reserved the previous Sunday is distributed. On Saturday and Sunday the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated as usual, although on Sundays the more solemn Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is used in place of that of St. John Chrysostom.
Like the observation of Lent in the West, Great Lent itself lasts for forty days, but unlike the West, Sundays are included in the count. It officially begins on Monday seven weeks before Pascha and concludes on the eve of Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. However, fasting continues for the following week, known as Passion Week, Great Week or Holy Week, up until Pascha.
The original purpose of the pre-Pascha fast (now known as Great Lent) was the fasting of catechumens who were being prepared for baptism and entry into the Church. However, it quickly became a time for those who were already Christian to prepare for the feast of the Resurrection of Christ. It is the living symbol of man's entire life which is to be fulfilled in his own resurrection from the dead with Christ. It is a time of renewed devotion: of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time of repentance, a real renewal of minds, hearts and deeds in conformity with Christ and his teachings. It is the time, most of all, of return to the great commandments of loving God and neighbors.
Theophany 2025
View all 39 photosOn Sunday January 5, the faithful of Saint John's gathered for Vigil on the Eve of Theophany. The waters were blessed and the faithful were blessed with the holy water!
Ugly Sweater Party
Ugly Sweater Party
View all 28 photosOn Sunday December 29, the faithful of our parish had our first-ever Ugly Sweater party.
The day started with a beautiful Divine Liturgy. Immediately following our choir spoiled us with a concert of Nativity hymns. We then had a group photo, which went better and faster than you'd think! haha! Upon entry into the social hall, all were met with a beautifully decorated hall, Christmas music, the smells of delicious foods and desserts, along with a hot cocoa bar, a photo booth, and two rounds of Christmas Trivia!
For fun we gave out six awards for sweaters and spirit! Fun was had by all! Thanks be to God!
The Reception of the Worley & Ventura family into the Orthodox Church
View all 52 photosOn Saturday November 9, 2024, Father Brian Christmated the Worley family into the Orthodox Church, and Baptized/Christmated the Ventura family into the Orthodox Church. We are thrilled to welcome these two wonderful families into our parish and pray for their health, peace, salvation, and furtherance in all things!
God grant them many years!
Archbishop Daniel visits Saint Johns
View all 71 photosDuring the weekend of November 2-3, our beloved Archbishop Daniel made his first pastoral visit to our community. On Saturday evening after the celebration of Great Vespers, the parish offered a delicious potluck with fellowship!
On Sunday, after the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the Parish had a delicious catered meal. After the meal, His Eminence made the rounds visiting with the parishioners!
The Reception of Timothy & Meredith into Holy Orthodoxy
View all 95 photosOn Sunday December 18, two of our eight Catechumans (Tim & Meredith) were Baptized, Christmated, Communed and Tonsured into the Orthodox Church! We celebrate them as a community and the Orthodox world rejoices! God grant them many years of peace, health, salvation and furtherance in all things!
Sunday with the Cholcher Family
View all 57 photosOn Sunday November 13, Father Jonathan and Family came to visit their old stomping grounds here at Saint John's. Since Fr Jonathan was transferred in early 2020, in the midst of Covid, our parish was unable to send him off properly. By Gods grace and by the kindness of Father Brian, our parish was able to whip up a potluck luncheon for a few hours of fellowship and delicious food in honor of Father Jonathan and family!
We are so thankful for everyone who helped make this day of celebration a success. We were blessed by Father Jonathan and we are blessed by Father Brian. May God grant all of us many years!
Father Herman Visits Saint John's
View all 10 photosOn Sunday July 17, a classmate of Fr. Brian's, Fr. Herman, from the Antiochian Archdiocese of America, served the Divine Liturgy with us and delivered an excellent homily. We thank him for the spiritual nourishment and wish him well in his travels. Many years, Father!
Pascha 2021
View all 108 photosChrist is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Due to Covid-19, Churches were closed for Pascha of 2020. This year more than made up for it! Our choir members sang their hearts out, and the Risen Lord touched all of our hearts. It was joyful; it was radiant; it was Heavenly, Paschal bliss. Glory to God for all things! To hear the magnificent music of Pascha, visit our Facebook page or YouTube page!
Father Brian's First Sunday
View all 8 photosChrist is Risen! It was a small but pious crowd at Saint John's due to Covid-19 restrictions, but that didn't stop us from warmly welcoming our new priest, Father Brian Crivella! Today was his very first Divine Liturgy served with us, and he did a great job! We're looking forward to getting to know him and supporting him in his first parish assignment as a new priest! Christ is Risen!
Icon Installation 2019
Icon Installation 2020
View all 17 photosIvan installed the new Icons in the forwardmost center ceiling section of the Church.
Dinner & A Movie 2019
Great Evening of Fellowship enjoying the Movie The Island (Rus., Ostrov)
"Lights on the Mountain" book launch party!
View all 7 photosWe were blessed to host the official launch part for the new novel, “Lights on the Mountain,” by Cheryl Anne Tuggle! Fun was had by all.
The Paschal Service begins with the Midnight Office (and the sharing of the First Light); then the procession follows concluding at the doors of the Church and proceeding with the Paschal Verses and the beginning of Paschal Matins. During Matins the Catechetical Sermon of St. John Chrysostom is read with everyone standing attentively, and we then serve the Divine Liturgy of Pascha. Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Declan Brown's Baptism
Declan Brown's Baptism
View all 15 photosBaptism of Declan Brown. God grant him Many Years!
Youth Group Meeting & Tacos!
Youth Group
View all 5 photosThe youth group decided to make Tacos before their meeting!
Cherie Davison Baptism
Cherie Davison Baptism
View all 7 photosWelcome to our Parish. God Grant you Many Years!
2014 Pascha Food Baskets
2014 Pascha Food Baskets
View all 3 photosMembers of the Youth Group make up Food Baskets given out by the parish for Pascha
2014 Orthodoxy Sunday
2014 Orthodoxy Sunday
View all 8 photosWarren Pan Orthodox Service on Orthodoxy Sunday
2013 Caroling
2013 Caroling
View all 21 photosThe Choir visted 2 families and two parishioners in rest homes this year.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Pfitzinger Family Chrismation
Pfitzinger Family Chrismation
View all 12 photosThe Pfitzinger Family was Chrismated on Chrismas Eve 2013. God Grant you Many Years!
2013 Sausage Making
2013 Sausage Making
View all 8 photosWe made 1200 pounds of sausage to sell. We do this twice a year, once before the Nativity and once after Pascha.
John Michael Niemi Baptism
John Michael Baptism
View all 9 photosJohn Michael Niemi was baptised at St John on October 27, 2013. John Michael DiGiacobbe and Susanna Malacky were the god parents.
2013 New Plant Beds
New Plant Beds
View all 12 photosWe put in new plant beds on the west side of the Church. Replaceing the plants and mulch with new plants and Red River Rock.
2012 Christmas Caroling
2012 Christmas Caroling
View all 9 photosThe Choir visited parishioners to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord!
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