St John the Merciful Orthodox Church

06/02/2026

We're looking forward to sending several of our youth ages 8-18 to Camp St. Christopher in less than three weeks! There is still time for late registrations! Also, if you'd like to sponsor a child to help them be able to go to camp by paying 50% of the fee for seven days of camp events, room, and board ($350), reach out and let us know!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KQH664Jys/

⚔️✨ ATTENTION, GIANT KILLERS AND DRAGON SLAYERS! ✨⚔️

On June 21, 2026, a new generation of heroes will gather at Camp St. Christopher to train, compete, forge friendships, and face challenges worthy of legends. Whether you're a rookie adventurer or a seasoned dragon hunter, this is your moment to answer the call!

🔥 On June 21st, epic adventures await.
🔥 Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
🔥 Your party is assembling.

The giants won't defeat themselves, and the dragons aren't getting any smaller.

If you haven't joined the mission yet, there's still time to unlock your place in this summer's greatest adventure:

🎟️ Register here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/campstchristopher/2038255

Gather your courage. Equip your faith. Level up your skills.

The Giant Killers and Dragon Slayers are assembling. Will you answer the call?

05/31/2026

05/27/2026

05/18/2026

6th Sunday of Pascha - May 17, 2026

Christ heals the blind man.

"Some men can see perfectly well and still remain blind to God."

Scripture readings:

John 20:11-18
Acts 16:16-34
John 9:1-38

04/30/2026

The Holy Synod announces the retirement of His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander, as ruling bishop of the Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America effective on July 23, 2026. We thank God for Vladyka's faithful service to St. John the Merciful Orthodox Church ! Laying aside regular work in the sprawling Diocese of the South, Vladyka will continue his archpastoral ministry with the much-smaller Bulgarian Diocese -- and we hope to see him again in Florida one day. Eis polla, eti despota!

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in its regular Spring 2026 Session under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, announces that it has…

04/27/2026

⚠️ Church Email Scam Alert ⚠️

Christ is Risen!

We’ve received reports of fake emails pretending to be from church leadership asking for help, gift cards, or member contact information.

Please do not reply, click links, send money, or share any personal/church information.

Signs of a scam may include:
• Unfamiliar email addresses
• Unusual wording or greetings
• Requests for urgency, secrecy, gift cards, or directories

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the church, verify it through official church channels.

Please stay alert and help protect our parish community by sharing this notice.

04/12/2026

See you at 1pm!

04/06/2026

Entry of Our Lord Into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday - April 5, 2026

“The cross is not just about forgiveness, it's about freedom: freedom from the illusion that I have to hold everything together; freedom from the fear that if I let go I will lose myself.”

Scripture Readings:

Genesis 49:1-2,8-12
Zephaniah 3:14-19
Zechariah 9:9-15
Matthew 21:1-11, 15-17
Philippians 4:4-9
John 12:1-18

04/05/2026

Holy Week is here 🌿

Join us as we walk through the most meaningful week of the year, leading to the joy of Pascha.

All are welcome, come as you are. ☦️

03/17/2026

Saint Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, Enlightener of Ireland
Commemorated on March 17

Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland was born around 385, the son of Calpurnius, a Roman decurion (an official responsible for collecting taxes). He lived in the village of Bannavem Taberniae, which may have been located at the mouth of the Severn River in Wales. The district was raided by pirates when Patrick was sixteen, and he was one of those taken captive. He was brought to Ireland and sold as a slave, and was put to work as a herder of swine on a mountain identified with Slemish in Co. Antrim.

He prayed during his solitude on the mountain, and lived this way for six years. He had two visions. The first told him he would return to his home. The second told him his ship was ready. Setting off on foot, Patrick walked two hundred miles to the coast. There he succeeded in boarding a ship, and returned to his parents in Britain.

Some time later, he went to Gaul and studied for the priesthood at Auxerre under Saint Germanus (July 31). Eventually, he was consecrated as a bishop, and was entrusted with the mission to Ireland, succeeding Saint Palladius (July 7). Saint Palladius did not achieve much success in Ireland. After about a year he went to Scotland, where he died in 432.

Patrick had a dream in which an angel came to him bearing many letters. Selecting one inscribed “The Voice of the Irish,” he heard the Irish entreating him to come back to them.

Although Saint Patrick achieved remarkable results in spreading the Gospel, he was not the first or only missionary in Ireland. He arrived around 432 (though this date is disputed), about a year after Saint Palladius began his mission to Ireland. There were also other missionaries who were active on the southeast coast, but it was Saint Patrick who had the greatest influence and success in preaching the Gospel of Christ. Therefore, he is known as “The Enlightener of Ireland.”

Holy Bishop Patrick, / faithful shepherd of Christ’s royal flock, / you filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel: / The mighty strength of the Trinity! / Now that you stand before the Savior, / pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!