Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Madison, IL

05/27/2026

Mega calzone style pirozhki tonight!

05/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17fEgth1Ee/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

70 + year old tree finally coming down. This tree has been a hazard for pedestrians and buildings. The concrete will be replaced too.

05/17/2026

Trent’s first time serving in the altar. Congratulations!

05/16/2026

A huge thank you to the Myrrhbearing Women sisterhood and all those who helped. We had a very successful pierogi and cabbage bake sale!

05/11/2026

The Samaritan Woman believed, and immediately became the source of living water for others. Leaving behind all her life’s cares, forgetting her water pot and her need for water, she brought a living witness to the miracle that had been revealed to her to the city, and its inhabitants came to the Source of living water, to Christ. - Archimandrite John Krestiankin

Read more about the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman at https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/77

05/11/2026

Saint Maximus on the two kinds of fear of God:

“81. The fear of God is of two kinds. The first is born from the threats of hell and causes temperance, hope in God, dispassion, and subsequently love to sprout within us. The second fear is united with love itself and always brings reverence to the soul, so it does not end in contempt of God due to the boldness that love gives. 82. The first fear is driven out by perfect love (1 John 4:18), for the soul that has it no longer fears hell. The second fear, as we have said, is always united with love. The saying "By the fear of the Lord, one departs from evil" (Proverbs 15:27) and "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10) fits the first fear. The saying "Those who fear the Lord lack nothing" (Psalm 34:9) fits the second fear.”

05/09/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122178591248802680&id=61574080424574

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) adopted updated “Social Media Guidelines for Clergy and Lay Leaders” during its Spring 2026 session, encouraging faithful and responsible online conduct throughout the Church.

The revised guidelines apply to clergy, employees and lay leaders serving in dioceses, parishes, monasteries, seminaries, and other church institutions. The Synod also commended the document to clergy wives, monastics, parish council members, youth leaders, and teachers involved in the Church’s public witness and pastoral life.

LINK: https://uoj.news/news/87076-oca-bishops-approve-new-social-media-guidelines

05/09/2026

61. "But I say to you," said the Lord, "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who harm you" (Matthew 5:44). Why did He command these? To free you from hatred, sorrow, anger, and grudges, and to make you worthy of the greatest possession, perfect love, which is impossible for anyone who does not love all people equally, imitating God, who loves all people equally and wishes for them to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

- Saint Maximus Chapters on Love