Orthodox Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos

12/08/2025

"For the love of Christ constrains us!" (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Yesterday, Sunday December 7 (Nov. 24 in the Church Calendar) marks a new beginning for our little parish in Emmitsburg. Fifteen years ago we received our first antimension from Metropolitan JOHN to begin celebrating the Divine Liturgy under his omophor. Five years ago we came under the loving and compassionate omophor of Metropolitan ALEXY and our Archbishop NICHOLAS. I have been more fortunate than most priests that I know, in that I have had wonderful hierarchs to guide and counsel me in my rectorship of our parish, the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.

In our celebration of fifteen years of service I have much to be grateful for! Our parish members have been faithful and supportive. Archbishop NICHOLAS has been a kind and wise hierarch, patiently guiding and counseling. Yesterday in his homily, he spoke of new beginnings and of the foundational qualities of our priesthood: love, compassion, service to others, care for one another. He awarded my worthy assistant, Fr. Anthony, the Nabedrenyk. Unexpectedly (and undeservedly), he also awarded to me the honor of wearing Double Crosses to me. He announced that Fr. Anthony will begin as Rector of our parish on January 1 and that I will begin the year as Rector Emeritus. Glory to God!

I will stay in our little parish to support Fr. Anthony and to continue my prison ministry to anyone at the local prison who asks for catechesis; presently, there are three men that I visit who study the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Orthodox Faith. To stay as Rector Emeritus is to decrease that my new Rector may increase in his leadership. It is his time to be the spiritual father of the congregation; the spiritual son becomes the spiritual father. I have a wonderful example in the life of another bishop under who I served many years ago, Paul Brndjar, in my little Slovak parish in the NY area. He stayed in the congregation I was serving and was a guide and support. As I said, I have been more fortunate than many priests I know, and I give thanks to God for him, for my new Rector, and for the wise and compassionate Hierarchs under whom I have served, especially to you, Vladyka ALEXY and Vladyka NICHOLAS.

As in all things, it is indeed the love of Christ that constrains us!

Fr. Elias

12/07/2025

04/20/2025

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death! And upon those in the tomb bestowing life!

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!

A Blessed Pascha to all!

04/19/2025

“Let all creation rejoice, and all the earth be glad; for Hades and the enemy have been spoiled. Let the women meet me with spices; for I redeem Adam and all their descendants and will rise on the third day!” (From the Ninth Ode of Matins of Great and Holy Saturday).

Today is Great and Holy Saturday, the Great Sabbath of our Lord and God and Savior. His body lay in the tomb, but He does not rest. Entering Hades, the realm of the dead, He frees those who have been captive since the Fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve. The flaming sword is removed; paradise is open for all.

This morning we will gather at 10:00 AM for the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, the “little resurrection” service at which the first proclamation of His rising will be shared. The church will be transformed from dark to bright. We will hear the wondrous accounts of Old Testament prophecies and see for the first time the fulfillment of that which was promised.

Then, we will gather this evening in darkness at 11:30 PM for the Midnight Office, the striking of the fire to light the Paschal Candle, Matins of Holy Pascha and the Divine Liturgy of Pascha beginning shortly after midnight. We will break the Great Fast together with potluck breakfast.

04/18/2025

“Today the Lord of creation standeth before Pilate, and the Creator of all is delivered up to crucifixion, offered as a lamb of his own will. He is fastened with nails, pierced with a spear, and a sponge is brought near to him who rained manna. The Redeemer of the world is smitten on his cheek, and the Redeemer of all is ridiculed by his own servants. What love the Master showed to mankind! For he prayed his Father on behalf of his crucifiers, saying, ‘Remit them this sin, for the transgressors of the law know not what they unjustly do.’” (From the Stichera of Great Vespers of Holy Friday).d

Today is Great and Holy Friday. The Lord and Creator of all is condemned to death. Mocked, humiliated, scourged, spat upon and ridiculed, He, the Master of all, submits willingly to the ignominy of the cross for the Life of the World.

Great Vespers of Holy Friday will be held in our church at 3:00 PM, followed soon thereafter with the Matins of Great and Holy Saturday at 6:00 PM, including the prcession with the Epitaphios and the Lamentations at the tomb. Glory to Thy Long-Suffering, O Lord! Glory to Thee!

04/17/2025

Today is Great and Holy Thursday. The Lord gives a new commandment to His Disciples: "He who would be great must be servant; love one another as I love you!" The Incarnate God is bound and led to trial. As we sing this evening at Orthros:

“Today, He is suspended on a Tree Who suspended the earth over the waters. A crown of thorns was placed on the Head of the King of Angels. He who wore a false purple robe, covered the heavens with clouds. He was smitten who, in the Jordan, delivered Adam. The Groom of the Church was fastened with nails, and the Son of the Virgin was pierced with a spear. Thy sufferings we adore, O Christ. Make us to behold Thy glorious Resurrection.” (15th Antiphon. Orthros of Great Friday).

The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil will be held in observance of His Last Supper at 3:00 PM. Orthros of Great and Holy Friday will be held (with the reading of the 12 Gospels) at 6:00 PM.

Glory to Thy Long-Suffering, O Lord! Glory to Thee!

04/16/2025

Today is Great and Holy Wednesday. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts followed by the Sacrament of Holy Unction will be held in our church at 6:00 PM.

From the Fifth Prayer of Blessing on the Oil:

“O Lord our God, who chastenest and again healest; who raisest the poor man from the earth, and exaltest the beggar from the dunghill; the Father of orphans, and Haven of the tempest-tossed, and Physician of the sick; who painlessly bearest our weaknesses and receivest our infirmities; who showest mercy with gentleness, who overlookest transgressions, and takest away unrighteousness; who art quick to help, and slow to wrath; who didst breathe upon thy disciples and say, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit; whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them”; who acceptest the’ repentance of sinners, and hast power to forgive sins manifold and grievous, and grantest healing to all who continue in weakness and lingering illness; who also hast called me, thy humble and sinful and unworthy servant, entangled in manifold sins and wallowing in the lusts of pleasures, to the holy and sublime degree of the Priesthood, and, to enter within the innermost veil, into the Holy of Holies, whither the, holy Angels desire to pe*****te, and to hear the evangelic voice of the Lord God, and personally behold the presence of the Holy Oblation, and to take delight in the divine and sacred Liturgy; who hast counted me worthy to minister thy supracelestial mysteries, and. to offer unto thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorances of people, and to mediate for thy rational sheep, that, through thine abundant and unspeakable love towards man, thou mayest cleanse their iniquities: Do thou thyself, O most good King, attend to my prayer in this hour and on this holy day, and in every time and place, and hearken to the voice of my prayer …

“Remember that the thought of man inclineth constantly toward evil from his youth up, and that none is to be found sinless upon earth; for thou alone art without sin, who didst come and save the human race, and free us from bo***ge to the enemy. For if thou shouldest enter into judgment with thy servants, there is none that would be found pure from stain, but every mouth would be sealed, having naught to answer; for all our righteousness is like unto cast off rags before thee. Wherefore, O Lord, remember not the sins of our youth: For thou art the Hope of the hopeless, and the Repose of those who labor and are heavy-laden with iniquity, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy, and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.”

04/14/2025

"Behold, the Bridegroom comes at Midnight! And Blessed is the servant whom He finds watching! ... Therefore, O my soul, do not be weighted down with sleep, lest you be given up to death and shut out of the Kingdom! But rouse yourself, crying: 'HOLY, HOLY, HOLY art Thou, O our God, through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us!'" (Troparion. Bridegroom Matins of Great and Holy Week)

04/11/2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Glory to Jesus Christ! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! Glory to Him forever!

We have arrived at Palm Sunday! It is the remembrance and commemoration of our Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem, where He will be maligned, horribly mistreated, tried, scourged, crucified and then after three days, rise from the dead! To commemorate this Great Feast is to enter into the very essence of the mystery of our salvation!
Upcoming Divine Services are as follows:
• Saturday
o We will not have Divine Services this year on Lazarus Saturday, so that the clergy can attend the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and ordination of Subdeacon Matthew to the Diaconate at Holy Archangels Orthodox Church in Weatherly, PA, the congregation of Bishop Alexios and Archbishop Philip.

• Sunday – Palm Sunday
o The Hours and Prayers of Preparation at 9:00 AM.
o Blessing of the Palms and Willows at 10:00 AM
o Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and procession with the Palms immediately following
 Coffee hour follows

UPCOMING EVENTS, SERVICES, NEWS, etc.

• Remember our weekly schedule in 2025:

o First Saturday of every month: Typica at Hillside home at 5:30 PM; no Vespers at church
o Second Saturday of every month: Great Vespers at church at 6:00 PM
o Third Saturday of every month: Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene; no Vespers at church.
o Fourth and Fifth Saturdays of every month: Great Vespers at church at 6:00 PM
o All Service times are posted on the parish website as usual.

UPCOMING FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORATIONS
• Wednesday, April 16 (3): GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY
o 6:00 PM: Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and Holy Unction

• Thursday, April 17 (4): GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY
o 3:00 PM: Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
o 6:00 PM: Matins of Great and Holy Friday (12 Gospels)

• Friday, April 18 (5): GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY
o 3:00 PM: Great Vespers of Great and Holy Friday (Descent from the cross)
o 6:00 PM: Matins of Great and Holy Saturday (Lamentations at the tomb; procession with the Epitaphios)

• Saturday, April 19 (6): GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY – THE GREAT SABBATH
o 10:00 AM: Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
o 11:30 PM: Midnight Office

• Sunday, April 20 (7) HOLY PASCHA
o 12:01 AM: Matins with the Rush Procession followed by Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
o Paschal BreakFast follows

• All Divine Services are posted on our Parish Website HERE: https://entrancemission.org/divine-services Please check this page each week for any exceptions or updates.

• • Coffee Hour Volunteers:

o Sunday, April 13 (fasting): Palm Sunday: Betsy
o Sunday, April 20: (BreakFast): PASCHA. Potluck.
o Please sign up for upcoming Sundays!

• Check out our Social Media Pages on Facebook and Instagram:
o https://entrancemission.org/

Remember what the LORD has done for you! Give Him thanks and praise! Glory to His NAME for all things! Pray for me, His most unworthy of priests!
Fr. Elias

We are a congregation of the True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora Meeting at 306 W Main St., Emmitsburg, MD

02/07/2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
This Sunday is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee.
Upcoming Divine Services are as follows:
• Saturday:
o Great Vespers at 6:00 PM (check the parish website in the event of bad winter weather)
• Sunday:
o The Hours and Prayers of Preparation at 9:00 AM.
o Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 10:00 AM.
 Coffee Hour follows.
UPCOMING EVENTS, SERVICES, NEWS, etc.
• Remember our weekly schedule in 2025:
o First Saturday of every month: Typica at Hillside home at 5:30 PM; no Vespers at church
o Second Saturday of every month: Great Vespers at church at 5:00 PM
o Third Saturday of every month: Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene; no Vespers at church.
o Fourth and Fifth Saturdays of every month: Great Vespers at church at 5:00 PM
o All Service times are posted on the parish website as usual.
UPCOMING FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORATIONS
• Friday, February 14: Eve of the Presentation of our Lord
o 6:00 PM Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

• Sunday, February 23: Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare)

• Sunday, March 2: Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare)

• Wednesday, March 5
o First Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 PM

• All Divine Services are posted on our Parish Website HERE: https://entrancemission.org/divine-services Please check this page each week for any exceptions or updates.

• Looking forward to Great Lent?
o The meat fast begins at Sundown on Sunday, February 23 (Meatfare Sunday)
o Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) is a week later, Sunday, March 3, and on Sundown that day Great Lent begins.

• Coffee Hour Volunteers:

o Sunday, February 9: Betsy
o Sunday, February 16: Susan
o Sunday, February 23: Meatfare Sunday: Pot Luck (Everyone bring something to share)
o Sunday, March 2: Cheesefare Sunday: Pizza (Donations accepted)
o Sunday, March 9 (fasting): Matushka Bonnie
o Please sign up for upcoming Sundays!

• Check out our Social Media Pages on Facebook and Instagram:
o https://entrancemission.org/
Remember what the LORD has done for you! Give Him thanks and praise! Glory to His NAME for all things! Pray for me, His most unworthy of priests!
Fr. Elias

We are a congregation of the True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora Meeting at 306 W Main St., Emmitsburg, MD

01/31/2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

Sunday is the Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, “Zacchaeus Sunday.”

Upcoming Divine Services are as follows:
• Saturday:
o Typica at Hillside Home at 5:30 PM
• Sunday:
o The Hours and Prayers of Preparation at 9:00 AM.
o Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 10:00 AM.
 Coffee Hour follows.
UPCOMING EVENTS, SERVICES, NEWS, etc.
• Remember our weekly schedule in 2025:
o First Saturday of every month: Typica at Hillside home at 5:30 PM; no Vespers at church
o Second Saturday of every month: Great Vespers at church at 5:00 PM
o Third Saturday of every month: Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene; no Vespers at church.
o Fourth and Fifth Saturdays of every month: Great Vespers at church at 5:00 PM
o All Service times are posted on the parish website as usual.
UPCOMING FEASTS, FESTIVALS AND COMMEMORATIONS
• Remember to bring containers for Holy Water. We will put what remains in containers that we will keep in the altar. When you need to replenish your own containers, speak to me or to Fr. Anthony any time.

• All Divine Services are posted on our Parish Website HERE: https://entrancemission.org/divine-services Please check this page each week for any exceptions or updates.

• Looking forward to Great Lent?
o The meat fast begins at Sundown on Sunday, February 23 (Meatfare Sunday)
o Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) is a week later, Sunday, March 3, and on Sundown that day Great Lent begins.

• Coffee Hour Volunteers:

o Sunday, February 2: Matushka Rebecca
o Sunday, February 9: Betsy
o Sunday, February 16: Susan
o Sunday, February 23: Meatfare Sunday: Pot Luck (Everyone bring something to share)
o Sunday, March 2: Cheesefare Sunday: Pizza
o Please sign up for upcoming Sundays!

• Check out our Social Media Pages on Facebook and Instagram:
o https://entrancemission.org/
Remember what the LORD has done for you! Give Him thanks and praise! Glory to His NAME for all things! Pray for me, His most unworthy of priests!
Fr. Elias

We are a congregation of the True Orthodox Church of the Diaspora Meeting at 306 W Main St., Emmitsburg, MD