St. Vladimir Orthodox Church

06/22/2026

When the Spirit of God descends upon a man and overshadows him with the fullness of His outpouring, then his soul overflows with a joy not to be described, for the Holy Spirit turns to joy whatever He touches. The kingdom of heaven is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Acquire inward peace, and thousands around you will find their salvation.

—St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. Seraphim of Sarov concerning the Aim of the Christian Life

06/17/2026

06/11/2026

Many people, I know, come to Orthodoxy online. At first glance, this is good, not bad; it's a way to identify orthodoxy. But when they believe everything they hear, see, or read on the internet and social media as absolute truth, that way of life or faith cuts them off from the body of the living Christ; because the church is the body of Christ. So when I get everything online, I isolate myself from the body of the living Christ. Meanwhile, since the Internet is an open space, anyone can talk about anything. So how can a New Testament, or even a traditional Orthodox born and raised in the faith, distinguish between the teaching of the Church and the teachings of such people, denominations, groups, etc? It's a very difficult one. Orthodoxy, in particular, cannot be lived through books alone. Books are very important and very useful to know your faith and how to live it, but you need a spiritual father, a mentor, and a need to live inside a living church body. That means taking part in the Eucharist and sacred mysteries, living in community, and building relationships with your parishioners.

06/04/2026

The Fast of the Holy Apostles

The Apostles' Fast is one of the four major fasting periods of the Orthodox Church. It begins on the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints (the Sunday following Pentecost) and continues until June 29, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

Why Do We Fast?

According to Holy Tradition, after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles prepared themselves through prayer and fasting before going forth to preach the Gospel throughout the world. The Church preserves this practice, calling the faithful to imitate their zeal, self-denial, and dependence upon God's grace.

Spiritual Meaning
The Apostles' Fast reminds us that:
• The Christian life requires spiritual struggle (askesis).
• Success in the spiritual life comes not through our own strength but through God's grace.
• Prayer and fasting prepare the soul to become a witness of Christ.
• We are called to continue the apostolic mission through faith, repentance, and Christian living.

Fasting Rule

Traditionally:
• Meat, poultry, dairy products, and eggs are not consumed.
• Fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted on most days (except certain stricter fasting days, depending on local practice and the guidance of one's spiritual father).
• The exact observance varies according to personal circumstances, health, age, and pastoral guidance.

Patristic Teaching

Saint John Chrysostom teaches that fasting is not merely abstaining from food, but also:
"Let the mouth fast from foul words and slander; let the eyes fast from impure sights; let the ears fast from harmful hearing."
Likewise, the Fathers emphasize that true fasting must be united to:
• Prayer
• Repentance
• Almsgiving
• Forgiveness
• Humility

The Goal of the Fast
The purpose of the Apostles' Fast is not simply dietary discipline, but the purification of the heart. Through prayer, fasting, and participation in the Holy Mysteries, the faithful seek to acquire the same apostolic spirit that enabled the Apostles to proclaim Christ boldly to the ends of the earth.

"Fasting is the weapon, prayer is the strength, and humility is the victory."

Through this sacred season, the Church calls us to renew our love for Christ and to become faithful witnesses of His Resurrection in our daily lives.
(Shared from a friend)

05/26/2026

04/12/2026

Christ is Risen!
In loving memory of Fr. David.
Pascha 2025

04/03/2026

Богослужения в Вербное воскресенье и Страстную неделю

Дорогие прихожане и верующие во Христа.

Ниже приводится расписание богослужений с Лазаревой субботы до Пасхи.

Хотя на этой неделе проходит больше богослужений, чем в любое другое время года, Страстная седмица — это особое время. Призываю вас отложить все земные заботы, как мы слышим на каждой литургии во время Херувимской песни, и подготовиться ко встрече Царя Славы, посещая как можно больше богослужений.

Хочу добавить, что если вы никогда раньше не бывали на этих службах, вы даже не представляете, что теряете. Да поможет вам Господь освободить своё расписание ради этой Святейшей недели.
— о. Стелиан

*Лазарева суббота, 4 апреля*
09:00 — Крещения взрослых
10:00 — Божественная литургия
18:00 — Всенощное бдение (освящение пальм и вербы)

*Вербное воскресенье, 5 апреля*
10:00 — Божественная литургия
12:30 — Собрание алтарников
13:00 — Утреня Жениха

*Великий и Святой понедельник, 6 апреля*
18:00 — Великое повечерие и Утреня

*Великий и Святой вторник, 7 апреля (Благовещение)*
10:00 — Вечерняя литургия
18:00 — Утреня Жениха

*Великая и Святая среда, 8 апреля*
10:00 — Литургия Преждеосвященных Даров
18:00 — Утреня

*Великий и Святой четверг, 9 апреля (мистический ужин)*
10:00 — Вечерняя литургия
18:00 — Утреня (с чтением 12 Евангелий)

*Великая и Святая пятница, 10 апреля*
10:00 — Царские часы
13:00 — Вечерня (вынос Плащаницы)
18:00 — Утреня (с крестным ходом)

*Великая и Святая суббота, 11 апреля*
09:00 — Вечерняя литургия
11:00 — Освящение корзин
12:00 — Вечерняя литургия (на сербском языке)
23:0 — Освящение корзин
23:05 — Полунощница

*ПАСХА , 12 апреля*
00:00
крестный ход, Пасхальная Утреня, Божественная литургия
Освящение корзин и разговение в подвале после литургии
13:45 — Освящение корзин
14:00 — Пасхальная вечерня, затем общая трапеза (potluck)