St John the Merciful Orthodox Church

09/09/2026

Nativity of the Theotokos
Commemorated September 8th

The record of the birth of Mary is not found in the Bible. The traditional account of the event is taken from the apocryphal writings which are not part of the New Testament scriptures. The traditional teaching which is celebrated in the hymns and verses of the festal liturgy is that Joachim and Anna were a pious Jewish couple who were among the small and faithful remnant—“the poor and the needy”—who were awaiting the promised messiah. The couple was old and childless. They prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child, since among the Jews barrenness was a sign of God’s disfavor. In answer to their prayers, and as the reward of their unwavering fidelity to God, the elderly couple was blessed with the child who was destined, because of her own personal goodness and holiness, to become the Mother of the Messiah-Christ.

Your nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe. The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos. By annulling the curse he bestowed a blessing. By destroying death he has granted us eternal life (Troparion).

08/28/2026

The Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John
Commemorated on August 29

Saint John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas after openly denouncing the ruler for unlawfully cohabiting with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. During a lavish birthday banquet, Herod promised Herodias’s daughter, Salome, whatever she wished after being charmed by her dance. Urged by her mother, Salome demanded the head of John the Baptist on a platter, forcing Herod to order the prophet's ex*****on to honor his careless oath.

Following the beheading, pious Joanna secretly buried John’s holy head in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, while his disciples buried his body in Sebastia. According to Church Tradition, divine retribution soon followed the perpetrators: Salome met a fatal accident when sharp river ice severed her neck, and Herod suffered military defeat before being exiled to Gaul and Spain by Emperor Caligula.

The Church honors the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist as a strict fast day marked by solemn reflection. In various Orthodox cultural traditions, believers observe strict pious customs on this day, such as abstaining from using knives, serving food on flat plates, or eating round foods out of reverence for the saint’s martyrdom. Additionally, this feast day holds special historical significance as a time of prayer for fallen service members.

08/14/2026

The Dormition (“Falling Asleep”) of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Commemorated August 15th

The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or "falling-asleep" of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos.

"The doors of caring do now open unto us,
O most blessed Theotokos,
So that hoping in you we shall not fail;
Through you we may be delivered from adversities,
For you are the salvation of the Christian faith."

-Theotokion from the Service of the Small Paraklesis

08/06/2026

The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ - commemorated August 6th.

The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.

Jesus had gone with his disciples Peter, James, and John to Mount Tabor. Christ's appearance was changed while they watched into a glorious radiant figure. There appeared Elijah and Moses, speaking with Jesus. The disciples were amazed and terribly afraid.

This event shows forth the divinity of Christ, so that the disciples would understand after his Ascension that He was truly the radiant splendor of the Father, and that his Passion was voluntary (Mark 9:2-9). It also shows the possibility of our own theosis.

08/04/2026

Memory Eternal to our beloved Susanne, whose Panikhida was offered this past weekend.

May God grant her the Kingdom.

08/01/2026

Unfortunately, there will be no livestream of tomorrow's Divine Liturgy services. We are working on building capacity for our livestream operations, and expect a more consistent livestreaming schedule no later than August 15, 2026.

07/29/2026

Virgin Martyr Seraphima (Serapia) of Antioch
Commemorated on July 29

During the reign of Emperor Hadrian, Saint Seraphima, a Christian maiden from Antioch, lived in Rome with a prominent senator's wife named Sabina, whom she had converted. When local authorities began persecuting Christians, the governor Virilus brought Seraphima in for trial. Though she faced the governor boldly alongside her faithful friend Sabina, Virilus initially released her before summoning her back several days later to demand she sacrifice to pagan gods.

When Seraphima steadfastly refused to deny her faith in Jesus Christ, Virilus handed her over to two men to be defiled. Seraphima prayed for protection, triggering a sudden earthquake that left both attackers paralyzed and silent. The next day, after praying again, she restored the men, who testified that an Angel of the Lord had shielded her. Refusing to believe them and assuming she used sorcery, the governor subjected her to severe beatings and torture with flaming torches.

Despite the brutal torment, the holy martyr remained unshakeable in her faith. During the beatings, splinters from the sticks struck Virilus in the eye, causing him to go blind three days later. Realizing he could not break her resolve, the governor ordered Saint Seraphima to be beheaded, after which Sabina lovingly buried her holy mentor with full reverence.

"Finding your most revered temple to be a source of healing for our souls, / we the faithful cry out to You with a loud voice: / “O most renowned Virgin Martyr Seraphima, / entreat Christ God unceasingly on behalf of us all.”

07/23/2026

At the end of yesterday's Pontifical Liturgy, Mat. Doreen Bartholomew was awarded the St. Romanos Award, the highest award for musicians in the Orthodox Church in America.

See this press release on the Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America website: https://dosoca.org/matushka-doreen-bartholomew-receives-st-romanos-award/

Here is a link to the livestream if you would like to watch it. The award presentation is at the end of the liturgy.

https://www.youtube.com/live/vEZtO-EeTjU

Congratulations Mat. Doreen! May God grant you many years!

Now in the Diocese of the South, Living in Retirement in Florida Matushka Doreen Bartholomew’s energy and influence have furthered […]

07/23/2026

Fr David here - the assembly has been amazing so far! I am helping to run the youth program and here are photos from some of our adventures:
Tuesday we took the kids to a gator farm, then yesterday there was a huge Pontifical Divine Liturgy and in the evening a sunset dolphin cruise. Today we took the kids on a St. Augustine trolley tour, then a trip to St. Photios Orthodox Shrine, and then took the older kids the the Orthodox Christian Mission Center OCMC headquarters for a tour, a talk, a service project making hygiene kits for the homeless, and tonight there is a poolside pizza party during the banquet.

We have a ton of great kids in our diocese—it's a blessing to be with Penny and several others. Glory to God!

07/22/2026

Myrrhbearer and Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene

Commemorated on July 22

Saint Mary of Magdala began her journey as a woman living a sinful life until Christ healed her, expelling seven devils from her soul. From that day on, she dedicated her life and possessions to following Jesus. Mary’s unwavering devotion set her apart; while many fled during the darkest hour of the Crucifixion, she stood fearlessly at the foot of the Cross alongside Mary, the Mother of God. Her steadfast love and loyalty made her a pillar of faith among the Lord’s followers.

Because of her devotion, Mary Magdalene was blessed to be the very first person to witness the Risen Lord outside His empty tomb. Overcome with joy when Jesus called her by name, she was entrusted with a sacred mission: to proclaim the Glad Tidings to the Apostles themselves. By declaring, "I have seen the Lord!" she became the world’s first preacher of Christ's victory over death.

Driven by her love for Christ, Mary traveled far beyond her homeland, bringing the Gospel to pagan Rome and preaching across Italy. Sacred Tradition tells us she even faced Emperor Tiberius, delivering a red egg—a symbol of new life—and boldly proclaiming Christ’s Resurrection.

"You followed Christ Who was born of a virgin for our sake, O revered Mary Magdalene, / keeping His commandments and laws. / Today, as we celebrate your most holy memory, we rejoice in faith, / and by your prayers, we receive the forgiveness of our sins."