Welcome Parishioners, Guests, and Seekers! We welcome you to our parish home and hope that you will be comfortable and experience the love of Christ! We are a Mission Parish dedicated to teaching the Gospel within Holy Tradition and sharing the spiritual life. You will experience the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, founded in Jerusalem and preserved throughout the centuries by the martyrs and the faithful Orthodox Christians. Sunday worship is the center of our Christian life, it is the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, where Christ is present, the Head of the Assembly, offering all of the faithful present to His Father, and giving us the gifts of Holy Communion. At the Dismissal, there are announcements, then all can come forward and exchange greetings with the priest, and receive a gift of Antidoron, a blessed bread (not Holy Communion). We hope you will enjoy the fellowship at St Mark's afterwards.
This Sunday
Services
- 9:00 AMOrthros
- 10:00 AMDivine Liturgy
Readings
- Orthros GospelJohn 20:19-31
- Epistle2 Timothy 2:1-10
- GospelLuke 8:26-39
This Week
Christmas Pageant Practice
Sunday, after LiturgyGirls 6-12 Christmas Pageant practice.
Inquirers Class
Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 PMA Catechetical Study of Orthodox Christianity geared for non-Orthodox and non-Christians, yet a good opportunity for Orthodox faithful to go deeper in the Faith.
Bible Study
Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45 AMThis group is open to all, and the study will be topical at this point, with book studies later in the year. Meetings are every Wednesday.
Choir Practice
Wednesday, November 19th, 6:30-7:30 PMStarting on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 PM, the choir will have a monthly choir practice on the third Wednesday of each month for one hour. All newcomers, ages 17 and up, who are musically inclined and interested in learning are invited to join us to explore this beautiful liturgical ministry. For additional information, please see Philanthy Nichols, our choir director, after Church.
Announcements
Burn the Mortgage - Countdown to November 8
ONLY $10,000 to go! All parishioners and Friends of St Mark, we need your help! We can burn our mortgage and chart a debt free future but we can't do it without you. Sylvia Cardone remembered us with a gift that brings us close to our goal. We are still short of what we need. God will provide, and with your help we will reach our goal and Burn the Mortgage! Click here to give online.
Book Store Opening Soon!
Saint Mark's Bookstore is taking requests. You can request an Icon, Book, or any other Orthodox items that you would be interested. We will order it and it ships directly to the church for easy pick up. Shipping is free! 30-40% of your order goes directly to support St Mark. If you would like to request anything please speak to Romeo or Matthew. Available Vendors: Ancient Faith, St Vladimir Seminary, St Herman Press, Uncut Mountain Supply, Holy Cross Bookstore, St Anthony's Monastery, New Rome Press, Legacy Icons.
Vasilopita Orders - 2026 New Years Bread Order - Deadline Nov 9
The Sisters of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Monastery are baking their delicious New Year's Bread (Vasilopita) for 2026. This annual fundraiser supports the monastery and helps purchase new pew books for St. Mark's and the choir. Each beautifully decorated loaf is dinner plate-sized (2 lbs) and includes the traditional foil-wrapped coin baked inside. They're $18 each and make wonderful Christmas gifts! Order deadline: November 9. Payment: Prepaid by cash or check (payable to St. Mark's). Pickup: Sunday, December 21 (Nativity Pageant). To order, please contact Kathy Pangas, Ecmel Aktalay, or Philanthy Nichols by November 9.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
We're considering starting a Wednesday evening class and want to know your interest. Would you prefer a Bible Study or a class on Orthodox books? Please share your thoughts or sign up near the candles at the entrance. Your participation helps guide our ministry!
A Word on Stewardship
We are excited to announce the start of our parish-wide Stewardship Drive! God is doing great things in our community, and each of us is called to take part in His work. Stewardship sign-ups will be available near the entrance by the candles, and on October 17th, a basket will be placed in front of the icon of The Theotokos. Join us in offering back to God a portion of the blessings He has given us, as we grow together in faith and service.
Submissions to the Bulletin
If you have an update, news, or an event that you would like mentioned in the bulletin reach out to stmarkgocit@gmail.com and the IT team will make sure it gets added.
History of Vasilopita
The Vasilopita commemorates a miracle performed by St. Basil (Vasilios) the Great (330-379 AD). St Basil was an influential theologian and bishop of the early Christian church in Caesarea of Asia Minor. He supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies against the early Christian church, such as Arianism. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. He also established guidelines for monastic life, which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. The legend varies as to how St. Basil became the guardian of the gold, silver and jewelry of the people of Caesarea. St. Basil asked the women to bake the valuables inside a large pita (sweet bread). When he cut the pita and distributed the bread, each owner miraculously received the right valuable. Today a single coin is baked inside each loaf to honor this miracle. The Vasilopita is traditionally cut and distributed on January 1, which is the feast day honoring St. Basil the Great. Bread may be frozen then thawed at room temperature. To prevent drying out, store at room temperature and not in refrigerator.