"Growing God's Family"

Sundays: Hours - 9:10am

Divine Liturgy - 9:30am

Dear Dormition Family,

The Nativity Fast

The Nativity Fast begins on November 15th each year and lasts through Christmas day with the divine liturgy. During this fast seafood is permitted, but no other animal or dairy products.  

As with all fasting periods, the Church reminds us to confess and repent in the 40 days leading to Christmas. As a reminder and follow up, note that the OCA guidelines expect parishioners to confess no less than once per month. I understand that we all come from different practices and models, but regardless if it has been more than a couple of months since you’ve offered your confession, you’re overdue. So make a point to come to confession with your family during the upcoming fasting period, beginning November 15th.

If you are pregnant, nursing, or have health concerns, please see me to discuss modifications to keeping the fast.

Thanksgiving

The Diamantis Family invites all of Dormition’s faithful to our home for a Thanksgiving Open House! Especially if you are a college student, young adult, or in the military, and looking for companionship (and lots of food), please join us. 

Kindly RSVP with Matushka Andrea by Sunday, November 24th. 917-848-1860 / Matushkandrea@gmail.com.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. John

Click here to see Monthly Calendar

Wednesday, November 20th

• Vespers w/Litya & Confessions (Entrance of the Theotokos) - 6:30pm

Thursday, November 21st

• Divine Liturgy (Entrance of the Theotokos) - 9:30am
• Mom’s Group - Meeting after liturgy, welcome to the Sacksen residence

Friday, November 22nd

• Game Night (Due to Thanksgiving) - 6:30pm

Saturday, November 23rd  

• Inquirers Class - 5:00pm
• Vespers / confessions - 6:30pm

Nov. 28th - Diamantis Thanksgiving Open House - RSVP to Matushka Andrea by 11/23.

Dec. 1st - Angel Tree Collection

Dec. 5th and 6th - St. Nicholas Vespers and Liturgy (at St. Nicholas church)

Dec. 7th - Church cleaning for Nativity

Dec. 8th - St. Nicholas will be visiting our youth

Dec. 9th - Botanical Gardens

Dec. 12 and 13 - St. Herman Vespers and Liturgy

Dec. 15th - Nativity Play

If you have a birthday, name's day, anniversary, or other notable milestone you would like to share with the parish, please add your name and the occasion to the Many Years list. Those on the list will be celebrated each Sunday following the Divine Liturgy.

If you, or someone you know, has not yet signed up for our Church Directory, which includes your photo and contact information.

NOTE: Contact Fr. John for questions about signing up frjohndiamantis@gmail.com

Sunday 11/24/24

Altar Servers

Andras

David

Coffee Hour

Kovscek

Price

Greeters

Mike

Julie

Reader

Chris Every

Sunday 12/01/24

Altar Servers

Stavros

Hans

Coffee Hour

Potluck

Greeters

Jacques

Bayza

Reader

Andy Price

Sunday 12/08/24

Altar Servers

Fen

Daniel

Coffee Hour

Bradford

Leonard

Greeters

Neil

Nicola

Reader

Eddy Shea

Sunday 12/15/24

Altar Servers

Jonah

Gabriel

Coffee Hour

Viljoen

Carlson

Greeters

Peter

Mike

Reader

Mark Mills

Wisdom of the Church

“Do not restrict the benefit of fasting to abstinence from food alone. True fasting is abstinence from evil. Let go of every unjust tie. Do not sadden your brother. Forgive others their debts. Do not argue and fight when you fast. You do not eat meat, but you bite your brother. You stay away from wine, but you do not refrain from cursing others…Fasting is speaking in moderation; refraining from anger; separation from [evil] desires, criticism, lies, and oaths. Deprivation of these things is true fasting.”

- St. Basil the Great (4th Century)

Did you know?

There are many types and periods of fasting for Orthodox Christians. The Nativity Fast, beginning November 15th and ending on Christmas morning with the Divine Liturgy, is one of four major fasting periods. During all fasts, meat and dairy products are avoided. The Nativity Fast allows for seafood.

Nov. 21st - We will attend Liturgy that morning for the Entrance of the Theotokos- and then meet at my home afterwards for coffee and snacks and kids playtime. 

Nov. 28th - No Playgroup 

In Christ,

Cecilia Sacksen

Classes are offered bi-weekly and geared toward those with an introductory to intermediate knowledge base. The next class will be Nov. 23rd 5-6:15PM

"***FILL YOUR STOCKINGS WITH ORTHODOX GOODIES***

All the items in our bookstore come from Orthodox vendors, so why not let Dormition's Bookstore cover the shipping for you! Items are regularly ordered from the following vendors:

https://www.parousiapress.com

https://www.drawneardesigns.com

https://svspress.com

https://stmpress.com

https://store.ancientfaith.com

Check out these vendors, fill your online cart, and then provide a print-out (or screen shot) of your cart from any of these vendors + provide payment via Cash, Check, or VENMO to Cecilia Sacksen by December 1st. Orders will be placed December 2nd and can be picked up in person at Dormition once they've arrived.

If you have any questions or need help- please ask Cecilia."

Thank you!

In Christ,

Cecilia