The Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America is committed to making high quality Orthodox theological education as accessible to all interested students as possible.

Applications for admission for the spring semester are due February 1, 2023. Classes begin February 13, 2023. Applications and further information on the Pastoral School programs can be found at our web site:

DCMA PASTORAL SCHOOL
Questions should be directed to the Dean of the Pastoral School, Priest Gregory Joyce:

fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org

The services for the 14,000 Martyrs Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning have been canceled. On Wednesday evening in place of the Akathist we will serve a moleben to the 14,000 Martyrs. Please spread the word to those you know, or even suspect, were planning to attend the services tonight or tomorrow. We ask your forgiveness for any inconvenience this change causes you.

The feast of the 14,000 Martyrs of Bethlehem has become the feast for those who have lost children through miscarriage, infant death, abortion, or in some other way. It has been our practice for some years to serve for this feast, which always falls on December 29/January 11. Thank God, we have the opportunity this year to do the same. Evening Services are at 6:00 p.m. on January 10, with Liturgy on January 11 at 8:00 a.m. Please join us as your personal schedule allows!

Learn More: English ~ Russian

SAVE THE DATE AND SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT PROCESSION: JANUARY 22 IN BRIGHTON!
More detailed information will be available soon, but you can sign up now at the link below. Join us for a short procession (1-2 miles walking at most). During the procession we will stop at some logical place (town square, etc.) and hold a short concert and/or serve a short moleben. We will provide a traditional Orthodox witness to our communities: we will have information about Orthodox Christianity available for those who are interested, and talk to those who would like to learn more. As January 20 marks the annual March for Life, this will be a cross procession specifically focused on the Orthodox Church's teaching that life begins at conception. Don’t miss this great opportunity to bring our faith to our neighbors! Sign up for Brighton today!

CROSS PROCESSION SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

All are welcome - join us!

If you pray and continuously and force yourself to pray, you will see how much grace you will receive.

Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Venerable Joseph the Hesychast

"This is the cause of all evils: the ignorance of the Scriptures. We go into battle without arms, and how ought we to come off safe?" -St. John Chrysostom, Homily IX on Colossians.

In order to help increase the general knowledge of scripture in our parish family we present here for your edification the scripture readings for the coming week. At least one Gospel Reading and one Epistle reading are assigned for each day of the year (although during Great Lent the readings are from the Old Testament). Hearing or reading only those readings appointed for Sunday merely scratches the surface of the great spiritual wealth that the scriptures provide us. Some of the readings are easily understandable – others are less so. As Orthodox Christians we do not make private interpretation of scripture, but rather consult the fathers of the Church for their explanations to aid us in our understanding. Those wishing to have access to such explanations are asked to contact Fr. Gregory or inquire in the kiosk for further reading in this regard. Bibles may also be acquired in the kiosk.

Monday: Hebrews 11:17-23, 27-31 & Mark 10:46-52
Tuesday: Hebrews 12:25-26, 13:22-25 & Mark 11:11-23
Wednesday: James 1:1-18 & Mark 11:23-26
Thursday: James 1:19-27 & Mark 11:27-33
Friday: James 2:1-13 & Mark 12:1-12
Saturday: Colossians 2:8-12 & Luke 2:20-21, 40-52

Понедельник: Евр. 11:17-23, 27-31 и от Марка 10:46-52
Вторник: Евр. 12:25-26, 13:22-25 и от Марка 11:11-23
Среда: Як. 1:1-18 и от Марка 11:23-26
Четверг: Як. 1:19-27 и от Марка 11:27-33
Пятница: Як. 2:1-13 и от Марка 12:1-12
Суббота: Кол. 2:8-12 и от Луки 2:20-21, 40-52

Please find below several very nice articles on how to read the scripture from an Orthodox point of view.

By St. Justin (Popovich):

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/bible_how.aspx

By Bishop Kalistos (Ware):

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/ware_howto.aspx

Please join us for a live broadcast of today's Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the following link:

ST. VLADIMIR AUDIO LIVE STREAM
Please remember - the stream only broadcasts live services. If you would like to listen to previously recorded and edited services please visit our sound blog:
SOUND OF THE PARISH BLOG

Our parish Sunday publications are available now at the link below. Find our Prayer List, "Good News", and "Sunday Reading", plus other parish publications!
PARISH PUBLICATIONS

“Without temptations, pure souls are not known, virtue does not show, patience is not discernible. Without temptations, it is impossible for the soul to become healthy. They are the cleansing fire which makes the soul pure and bright.”

Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Joseph Hesychast

Please find below the Nativity Epistle of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

ENGLISH

RUSSIAN