St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church

09/05/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday, September 6, we celebrate the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Gospel appointed for this Sunday (Matthew 22:1–14), we hear the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Through this parable, our Lord reminds us of the invitation God extends to each of us to enter into the joy of His Kingdom. We are called not only to hear His invitation, but to respond to it with faith, humility, and a life transformed by His grace. The wedding garment reminds us of the importance of preparing our hearts to receive Christ and of living according to the calling we have received as His disciples.
Confession will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The Akathist to the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God will be served at 9:30 a.m.
The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00 a.m.
May we all respond to God's invitation with open hearts, remembering that He calls each of us to share in the joy of His Kingdom. Let us seek to prepare our hearts through prayer, repentance, love, and good works, so that we may always be ready to receive Christ and to live in His presence.
May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the Saints, bless you and your families, guide you in all that you do, strengthen you in faith, and grant you peace, health, joy, and salvation.
With love in Jesus Christ,
Fr. Daniel
919-218-8277
[email protected]
St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church

09/01/2026

Today, we celebrate the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year, also known as the beginning of the Indiction.
The word Indiction comes from a Latin term meaning “to impose” and was originally associated with the imposition of taxes in Egypt. The first worldwide Indiction was proclaimed in 312, the year when Saint Emperor Constantine (May 21) witnessed the miraculous vision of the Holy Cross in the sky. Before the introduction of the Julian calendar, Rome traditionally began its New Year on September 1.

According to Holy Tradition, it was on September 1 that Christ entered the synagogue and proclaimed His divine mission to mankind (Luke 4:16–22). Quoting the prophet Isaiah (61:1–2), our Savior declared:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Holy Tradition also tells us that the Hebrews entered the Promised Land in the month of September.

As we begin this New Ecclesiastical year, may the Lord bless us with peace, faith, strength, and spiritual renewal. May this “acceptable year of the Lord” be filled with His grace and abundant blessings.

A blessed and joyful New Ecclesiastical Year to all!

08/29/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday, August 30, we celebrate the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Gospel appointed for this Sunday (Matthew 21:33–44), we hear the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. Through this parable, our Lord reminds us of God’s great patience and love, and of our responsibility to receive His gifts with gratitude and to bear good fruit. The parable also points us toward Christ, the beloved Son, whom the builders rejected and who became the cornerstone.

As we begin a new school year, we give thanks to God for the gift of our children and young people and for the opportunity they have to learn, grow, and discover the gifts God has given them. We pray that the Lord will guide them throughout the coming year, protect them from every danger, bless their studies, and grant them wisdom, patience, courage, and good friends.

The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Confession will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Following the Divine Liturgy, at 11:30 a.m., we will offer a special prayer and blessing for all children and students at the beginning of the new school year. We warmly invite all children, students, parents, and families to join us in this prayer, entrusting the new school year into God’s loving care.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the Saints, bless our children and students, guide them in their studies and friendships, protect them throughout the year, and grant them wisdom, health, joy, and a love for all that is good and true.

May He also bless all of you and your families with peace, health, and salvation.

With love in Jesus Christ,
Fr. Daniel
919-218-8277
[email protected]
St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church

08/28/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Saturday, August 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John.

In the Gospel appointed for this feast (Mark 6:14–30), we hear of St. John’s courageous witness to the truth and his martyrdom. May his example inspire us to remain faithful to Christ, to repent sincerely, and to have the courage to live according to the Gospel.

The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Confession will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is also a day of fasting. Let us embrace this day as an opportunity for prayer, repentance, and spiritual renewal, remembering the words of St. John: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother, St. John the Baptist, and all the Saints, bless you and your families with peace, health, and salvation.

With love in Jesus Christ,
Fr. Daniel
919-218-8277
[email protected]
St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church

08/27/2026