St. Athanasius Orthodox Church • Nicholasville/Lexington Kentucky

October in the Parish

Abp. Alexander to visit Oct. 25-27

October is a liturgically calm season in the Orthodox Church. For newcomers, this month is a great time to plug into church life:

Our Fall Catechesis (Christian Teaching 101) is in full swing each Wednesday at 720pm (immediately following our regular Wednesday Vespers at 630pm.) Newcomers and inquirers are welcome at these classes — alongside our official catechumens. The weekly series will conclude in mid-December.

Sunday School has resumed!  Children’s Sunday School (ages Pre-K through High School) takes place after the Liturgy (20-30 minutes) and our virtual Adult Sunday School is live each Thursday. You can join the online conversation each Thursday here.

Our Archbishop Alexander is planning his final visit to St. Athanasius before his retirement this October 25-27. Please mark your calendars for this festive weekend (when we also celebrate the newly-canonized St. Olga of Alaska!) You can see the full schedule on the calendar below and at the main schedule page here. Learn more about Archbishop Alexander here.

We welcome those who are in (or close to) Madison County to consider a visit our daughter community, St. Nina Mission (213 Pauline Drive #5, Berea, KY,) which helps extend the reach of the Orthodox Faith along the I-75 corridor & Wilderness Trail. St. Nina Chapel is drawing people from Somerset, London, Corbin, and beyond. We are now serving services twice a week on Tuesdays (630pm) and Saturdays (6pm.) We also are trying to serve two Sunday Liturgies per month in Berea. Our lead priest at St. Nina this year will be Fr. David Thatcher, who can be reached at fr.david@bluegrassorthodox.org.

Below is a collection of photos from October 2025, showing the full range of our parish life including both physical improvements at our church and a big annual multi-parish Fall St. Herman Campout (Sept. 26-28) that was held in Corbin, KY. We hope these photos inspire you to visit our church or mission (or one of the local Orthodox parishes.) If you have questions about our calendar or any aspect of our Faith or parish life, please reach out to our associate pastor Fr. Giorgi Lomsadze at fr.giorgi@bluegrassorthodox.org.

A season to receive Catechumens

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During the next few months of summer and early fall we will occasionally receive new Catechumens before the Divine Liturgy begins on Sunday mornings. In the Greek language, a “Catechumen” means someone who is learning to listen and to hear. Becoming a Catechumen in the Orthodox Church is …

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

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Blessed art You O Christ Our God You have revealed the fishermen as most wise By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit Through them You drew the world into Your net O Lover of Man, Glory to You!   — Troparion for Pentecost, Tone 8 When the most High came down and confused the …

The Glorious Ascension of Christ

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O Christ God, thou hast ascended in Glory, granting joy to thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through thy blessing they were assured that thou art the son of God, the Redeemer of the world!   — Troparion for the Ascension The Lord himself gave us a sign… A virgin …

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

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Christ has risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!   — Troparion for Pascha It is manifest, and let none presume to doubt it, that the Savior has raised his own body, and that he is very Son of God, having his being from God as …

Holy Week and Pascha

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The schedule of services for Holy Week and Pascha have been posted. The best way to prepare for Pascha is to participate in the services of Holy Week: Bridegroom Matins; Presanctified; Holy Unction; Holy Thursday’s Liturgy & 12 Gospels; Holy Friday’s Royal Hours, Taking Down from the …

Prayers begin on our land

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In preparation for the development of our property at 2500 Chrisman Mill Road and the building of our future temple, Friday morning prayers will be held on the top of the hill, whenever weather permits. Prayers will begin at 8:15 AM each Friday, September – November, 2005. All are invited to …

Initial Post

Readers

Welcome to the readers section on the church website. This will be a place for news, notes, special service rubrics and reader schedules. More to come later.

Updates

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Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Troparion – Tone 7 You were Transfigured on the Mount, O Christ God, Revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Your everlasting Light shine upon us sinners! Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, …

Schedule of Services

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Saturday Evening 5:30pm Choir practice 6:15 Ninth Hour Prayers 6:30pm Great Vespers/Matins Service Schedule 9:30am Age appropriate Sunday School 9:30am Choir practice 9:40am Third & Sixth Hour Prayers 10am Divine Liturgy Common meal follows Wednesday Evening 6:30pm Choir practice 7:00pm Vespers …

Parish History

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We welcome all who seek the fullness of God. It is our deepest hope that our joy will be manifest to all whom God sends to us. Visitors often note our warm hospitality. Come worship the holy Trinity with us; then stay and share your story over a cup of coffee. We hope that you, …