As we enter a new civil year, AD 2023, the Orthodox Church marks a number of important feasts, beginning with the combined feast of our Lord’s Circumcision & St. Basil, which we
observe on New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day with great fanfare. Then we ascend further as we mark the Great Feast of Epiphany (Theophany,) which is anticipated for several days with services leading up to the Feast itself, on January 6. Much of January becomes a de facto post-feast of Theophany as we bless the waters outdoors (after Liturgy on Sunday, January 8th) and begin the month-long season of Houseblessings, during which households invite the priest to carry the blessing of the Lord’s Epiphany into their homes, with the sprinking of holy water and the offering of various prayers. You can review the Theophany House Blessing Service and sign-up here to invite the priest to visit your home, which is traditional and is open to anyone desiring this blessing. 
During this joyful season, we invite you to visit our church. Our graphic calendar with major parish services and events in January is on the right (with February just below.) Our online google calendar can always be accessed here and is usually updated about 3 months in advance. To keep abreast of all the happenings in our parish, we invite you to subscribe to our monthly parish newsletter and to our weekly parish email update.
What is the big news in the parish?
- Forward in Faith Capital Campaign In fall of last year, our parish leadership announced a new capital capaign, the Forward in Faith Campaign. As of the end of 2023, we have over $230,000 in pledges made and are about 2/3 the way to our goal! Our two-pronged goal of ourcampaign is
- to fund a second priest position and
- to fully update our immediate and long-term plans for our church campus so that we are ready for healthy and sustained growth both here and in our mission communities (like St. Nina Mission in Berea.)
- Happenings with Christian Education & Formation
- Catechesis is taking place in-person for newcomers and catechumens each Wednesday night at 720-820pm (following 630pm Vespers.) In January, Fr. Justin is offering 6 stand-alone classes that include Bible studies and introductions to various topics related to the Orthodox Faith. You are welcome!
- Adult Sunday School is open to all teens and adults and is taking place for the second year entirely online, every Thursday at 8pm. Join each week and participate via Zoom here or catch the recording on our parish YouTube channel.
- Children’s Short Sunday School (ages 3-18) lasts 20 minutes each Sunday immediately after the Liturgy and is in-person. Fellowship Hour follows after the Short Sunday School.
- Social & Community Events
- Young Adults (18-30) and Youth Group are meeting regularly (contact office for information)
- Our Men’s Night Group & St. Elizabeth Sisterhood are each gathering for various events during November (see calendars above.)
Again, we welcome you to visit St. Athanasius. It is our delight to share with you the riches of the Orthodox Christian Faith–our worship of God and warm fellowship as believers! Below are some windows into our parish during the previous Nativity season. Our parish is very much alive with divine services, choir rehearsals, service projects, hiking trips, college ministry, Christian Education, and much more… Come be a part of it!
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