PARISH EVENTS

An abridged Orthros (Matins) is a shortened version of the Byzantine morning service, often used in parishes to reduce length while retaining core elements. It typically includes Psalms, Great Litany, Gospel reading, select troparia, etc.

The Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive from the Holy Spirit and bear a child called Jesus. This major Christian feast marks the Incarnation—the moment God became man—occurring exactly nine months before Christmas.

Passion Matins (or Matins of Holy Friday) is a service, usually held Thursday night, featuring twelve readings from the Gospels detailing the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. It includes specific hymns, prayers, and psalms centered on the Passion. The service is also known as the Twelve Gospels.

"Vespers with placing of the Shroud" refers to a special evening prayer service (Vespers) observed on Good Friday, where the "Holy Shroud" (also called the "Epitaphios" or "Plashchanytsia") representing Jesus' burial cloth is ceremoniously placed on the tetrapod for veneration by the congregation.

Royal Hours are a solemn service in our Church, celebrated only three times a year (Christmas Eve, Theophany Eve, and Great Friday) before major feasts, with specific, lengthy readings and hymns related to the feast, named for the historical attendance of the Byzantine Emperors.

The chant "God is with us" is composed of selected verses from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and is chanted at the Great Compline service during Great Lent as well as All-night Vigil on the feast days of the Nativity of our Lord and Theophany.