St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 8-24-2025
Dear Faithful,
I hope you enjoyed the cooler temps today. It is a glorious time of year. In case you missed it, here is an excerpt from yesterday's "Know Your Faith" class on Cycles and Seasons:
"After Dormition, after the departure into heaven of the Mother of God, everything begins again. Autumn teaches us humility. The sun shines less brightly, less strongly, but with more gentleness. The days shorten, trees lose their foliage, the earth becomes barren, rests, and prepares itself for another cycle. In our spiritual life, we too must relive everything and begin all over again" (The Incarnate God: The Feasts of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary).
Our next class will be this Sunday (8/24) on Creation, the Fall & Ancestral Sin. We also have our Book Club this Thursday and lots more going on which you can read about in the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!).
Have a blessed week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 8-17-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
Yesterday, we remembered the faithful, courageous, and witty Archdeacon Lawrence, the patron of our entire region. St. Lawrence met his martyrdom over burning coals on an iron grill, where he uttered the famous line, "Turn me over; I'm done on this side."
May we too jeer in the face of adversity, knowing that the Lord is our firm foundation, our refuge, and our deliverer.
We have services every day this week:
Tue - 12pm Paraklesis at St. John the Soldier in Watertown
Wed - 5pm Paraklesis at the Hermitage (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk)
Thurs - 6pm Vespers for Dormition of the Theotokos
Fri - 8am Divine Liturgy for Dormition + blessing of flowers
Sat - 5pm Great Vespers
Sun - 10am Divine Liturgy
Please find the updated "Know Your Faith" syllabus here. If you are an inquirer, it's not too late to join and get caught up. You can find past recordings here. We will have class this coming Sunday (8/17, "Cycles & Season") and the Sunday after (8/24, "Creation, the Fall & Ancestral Sin") as well.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 8-10-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
While we continue to rejoice in the canonization of our most recent North American saint, Matushka Olga of Kwethluk, this Saturday we also remember the glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska—the very first saint canonized in North America.
"Glorifying saints" is one of the prerogatives of an autocephalous (self-governing) church, along with "electing its own bishops" and "confecting holy chrism." The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) received its monumental autocephaly on April 10, 1970 from the Russian Orthodox Church. Four months later the OCA glorified St. Herman.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). It's a big month with two of the 12 Great Feasts coming up in the next 11 days!
Here are some additional announcements/reminders:
Congratulations to Christa Konstantinopoulos and family on the birth of their new baby girl, Elizaveta! Many Years!
This Wednesday (8/6) is the Great Feast of the Transfiguration. Following Liturgy will be the blessing of fruit. This practice comes from the timing of the Feast with the grape harvest (in a much warmer climate than ours), and also relates to the theme of the sanctification of creation through divine grace in the Incarnation. Later in the day on Wednesday (5pm), we will have Vespers and Paraklesis at the Hermitage.
Speaking of fruit, the Norwood Food Pantry needs canned fruits and veggies. There is a box near the piano at the church.
The next two Sundays, we are taking up a collection for St. John's parish in Spring Valley, NY. See bulletin for more info.
We are in the Dormition Fast until August 15 (Dormition of the Theotokos). In addition to abstaining from certain foods, this is a time of increased prayer and almsgiving.
Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov will be covering for me again this Sunday, as I will be attending a family wedding in Ithaca. You can reach me via phone or email. This Sunday's "Know Your Faith" class will be "Iconography Part II" with Mother Sophronia.
Wishing you a blessed Dormition Fast!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 8-3-2025
Dear Faithful,
Greetings from St. Andrew's Camp!
If you're like me, you're still basking in the afterglow of our Parish Feast, which included a visit from Archbishop Michael and the tonsuring of Reader John. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a blessed celebration. If you have photos or videos, please add them here.
Attached is the weekly bulletin (thank you, Peggy!) as well as our calendar for August. We have lots of services coming up, including two Great Feasts in the first half of the month. This Friday also begins the Dormition Fast. Remember -- you get out of it what you put into it. If you keep the fast, the fast will keep you! Please contact me with any questions.
May the Holy Trinity protect you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 7-27-2025 + Special Issue for Parish Feast!
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
This week, we celebrate several prominent women saints including Mary Magdalene, the myrrh-bearer and equal-to-the-apostles (we just received one of her relics!); St. Christina of Tyre; St. Anna, the grandmother of our Lord; and our own St. Olympia, who you can learn about in our special issue bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
We will celebrate our Feast Day with two beautiful services on Thursday (Vigil - 5 pm) and Friday (Hierarchical Liturgy - 9:45 am) with potluck meals to follow. See the bulletins for more information.
His Eminence Archbishop Michael will be with us for both services, and His Eminence Archbishop Irénée of Ottawa and the Canadian Archdiocese plans to join us on Friday morning.
We are very blessed!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
Link to Special Issue for Parish Feast!
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 7-20-2025
Dear Faithful,
Cheers from Phoenix, AZ where the 21st All-American Council begins today. There is a great sense of the "fullness of the Church." Everywhere I turn, I see bishops, monastics, church school teachers, excited kiddos attending the youth program, choir directors, seminarians, chaplains, relics of the saints, etc.
I am reminded of the importance of each member of the Body of Christ, and how "if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Cor. 12:26).
Please see the attached bulletin (thank you, Peggy)!
A few more things:
Immediately following Liturgy this Sunday, I will bless vehicles in honor of St. Elija and his chariot.
Please consider signing up for coffee hour this Sunday and/or bringing something for one of the meals for our Parish Feast
The next PC meeting will be Sunday evening (7/20) at 7:30 PM to get ready for the Parish Feast.
May God bless and keep you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 7-13-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
What is the meaning behind each article of the priest's vestments? Why, on this Sunday, do we commemorate the holy fathers of the first six ecumenical councils, but not the seventh? How are we to interpret St. Paul when he refers to "works of the law"?
Answers to these questions and more can be found in our weekly bulletin (thank you, Peggy)!
Attached is an additional write up on clergy vestments, courtesy of Fr. Joel Brady, as well as a flyer for our upcoming St. Olympia Day Celebration. You can sign up here to bring food for one of our patronal potlucks.
Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov will be covering for me this Sunday while I am away at the All-American Council in Phoenix, AZ. Your prayers are appreciated! You may still reach me by phone or email.
Lastly, we are still looking for a few coffee hour volunteers to sign up for this Sunday.
May God bless and keep you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 7-6-2025
Dear Faithful,
I pray that you had a blessed Feast of the Holy Apostles today. The word "apostle" is derived from Greek and means "one who is sent off." What a fitting day for our son, Christopher, to take his first unassisted steps!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
In case you missed our excellent "Know Your Faith" class this past Sunday led by Mother Sophronia, you can watch the video here.
We will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon to do some work in the basement. All are welcome.
Reminder, this Sunday is potluck for coffee hour. We are still looking for a few coffee hour volunteers to sign up for later in the month.
Have a blessed week, and I hope to see you for Liturgy either Thursday in Watertown or Friday (4th of July) at St. Olympia's.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 6-29-2025
Dear Faithful,
Blessed Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
St. John's words may sound oppressive, but they lead us to freedom. "He must increase, but I must decrease." It's not about ME. And thank God! We do not need to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We don't even need to carry around the weight of our own sins. What we need is to acknowledge our sins before God and "REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy) along with our calendar for July.
In honor of the recent Glorification of Matushka Olga, Archbishop Michael wanted me to remind you of our Diocesan Ministry of Blessed Matushka Olga. This ministry has been active for years already, serving women and families in crisis.
Link to The July Church Calendar
Have a blessed week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 6-22-2025
Dear Faithful,
Blessed Feast of All Saints!
The saints are the living proof of the coming of the Holy Spirit. They are the great cloud of witnesses, the salt of the earth, and an odor of sweet spiritual fragrance in this world. Truly, God is wonderful in His saints!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). You can read about our newest saint, Matushka Olga, who is set to be glorified this weekend (June 19-22) in Alaska.
Also attached is the June 2025 Issue of Koinonia.
I will be away on family vacation this week. I am reachable in the case of a pastoral emergency; otherwise, I look forward to seeing you Saturday evening.
And congratulations again to the newly-illumined James PATRICK "Jack" Butterfield, together with his parents and sponsors.
May the Holy Trinity preserve and protect you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 6-15-2025
Dear Faithful,
Blessed Feast!
This week, we continue to reflect on the Mystery of Holy Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out upon the Church and its members.
If we pause for a moment, we find that God has given us everything we need through the Holy Spirit. Even when we are unsure how to pray or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit "intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26). It is only through the assistance of this great Helper, Advocate, Comforter, that we can become the person we were created to be.
Pentecost naturally leads us to the Sunday of All Saints-- the final stop on our journey of repentance which began back in early March. Once we acquire the Spirit of Peace, we have everything we need to make peace with ourselves and with the world and become the saint we were meant to be.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!)
Here is a snapshot of the week to come:
- Join us on Wednesday at 6 PM to pray the "Glory to God for All Things" Akathist.
- We will have our Book Club this Thursday. We will discuss Tolstoy's God Sees the Truth, But Waits beginning at 5:45 PM.
- Our next Work Day will be Friday at 3 PM.
- We are still looking for a few people to sign up to bring something for coffee hour this Sunday (Father's Day). Sign up here.
- Baby Butterfield's baptism will be this Sunday June 15 at 9:30 AM. It's a bit earlier than our normal start time. Please try to be there.
- The next Know Your Faith session will be this Sunday after coffee hour. The topic will be, "Prayer First!"
Happy fast-free week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 6-8-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ has Ascended!
As we prepare for the upcoming Feast of Holy Pentecost, remember that "spirituality" is not the result of our own spiritual exploits, but is rather the work of the Holy Spirit.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!) along with Vladyka Michael's Archpastoral Letter for Pentecost.
Here are some other reminders:
- We will have Work Days Tuesday and Friday 3-6pm(ish). Come if/when you can.
- No Book Club this week. The next gathering will be June 12.
- Please sign up to host coffee hour here. This Sunday is open.
- The next Church School lesson will be this Sunday, June 8.
- Baby Butterfield's baptism will be June 15 at 9:30 AM, before Liturgy.
- I will be traveling most of the week, but will be available by phone or email.
May the Holy Spirit protect you and guide you into all Truth!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 6-1-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Risen!
I pray that you enjoyed a blessed Memorial Day today in this perfect weather. Today, thousands of people flocked to St. Tikhon's monastery for its 121st annual Memorial Day pilgrimage. St. Tikhon himself chose this American holiday as the day of pilgrimage very intentionally.
What does the Church do if not remember? The Church remembers because it loves. Today, we remember not only those who have given their life in defense of our homeland, but also all those who have sacrificed their life to build up the Church.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!) along with the calendar for June.
Here are some other reminders:
- We will have Work Days Tuesday and Friday 2-5 pm(ish). Come if/when you can.
- Thursday is Ascension, one of the 12 Great Feasts. There will be Vespers on Wednesday (6 pm) and Liturgy on Thursday (8 am).
- Sunday coffee hour will be Potluck style. Beginning around 12:30 pm we will have the next "Know Your Faith" session on the topic of "Sacred Space & Church Etiquette."
- The next Church School lesson will take place on Pentecost (6/8).
- It's not too late to provide a meal or gift card for the Butterfields. You can sign up here.
Have a blessed week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 5-25-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Risen!
Greetings on this Monday after the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman at the Well—St. Photini (Greek) or St. Svetlana (Slavic)—who some consider to be the first Christian missionary. She evangelized her own city before traveling to Carthage where she continued to spread the Good News.
We will not always have the status of "mission parish" here at St. Olympia's, but may we always be mission-minded, just like St. Photini. People today need the Gospel—its truth, hope, and light—more than ever. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, of blessed memory, once said, “Church without mission is a contradiction in terms.” His words remind us that the Church is not meant to be inward-focused or static, but a dynamic living witness—reaching out, serving, and transforming the world around it.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!).
In case you missed our first "Know Your Faith" class on Sunday, here is a link to the recording. These will continue every other Sunday beginning around 12:30pm.
It is not too late to provide a meal or giftcard for the Butterfields. There are several open slots this week. You can sign up here. If the drive is too far, you can drop off a meal at the church and someone can bring it to them. Just let me know. This is a great opportunity to honor St. Photini and Abp. Anastasios. Our Christian witness and mission begin at home—with those in need who are already within the embrace of our community.
Have a blessed week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 5-18-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Risen!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). You will notice a few articles on the underappreciated Feast of Mid-Pentecost, the halfway point between "the Feast of Feasts" (Pascha) and "the great and last Feast" which seals the Lord's salvific work (Pentecost).
Fr. Seraphim Rose says if there is anything we learn from this feast it is this: to THIRST. The Church gives us this holy day to "refresh [our] thirsty soul with the streams of piety" and to keep our spiritual furnace ablaze. Come experience it for yourself this Tuesday evening at 6 PM and Wednesday morning at 8 AM.
Following Liturgy on Wednesday morning, we will head down the street to the Hermitage where we will do the Lesser Blessing of Water, followed by coffee and treats.
Thursday night will be a movie night over at St. Mary's Catholic Church rectory living room.
This Sunday marks the first "Know Your Faith" catechism class, beginning during the tail end of coffee hour.
Lastly, please consider making a meal for the Butterfields as they adjust to life as a family of four! If you cannot make a meal, consider donating a restaurant gift card or money to help cover food costs. You can do this all from their meal train page.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 5-11-2025
Dear Faithful,
We are in this beautiful season of Paschaltide during which we continue to greet each other with "Christ is Risen" until the eve of the Feast of the Ascension, which falls on May 29th this year.
I pray that this is a refreshing, joy-filled season for you. We find refreshment and joy both in our prayer corner at home and in our collective experience at the church. Private, hesychastic prayer and the corporate prayer of the Liturgy are two sides of the same coin!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). I hope you enjoy the new "Ask the Priest" section. We will start "Know Your Faith" catechism classes on Sunday, May 18th. These are open to everyone, but geared especially toward recent converts, catechumens, and inquirers.
For coffee hour next week, we will have a Mother's Day Cookout. There will be burgers and dogs. Please bring a side dish or dessert and anything else you want to grill.
Have a blessed week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.Parish Priest -
St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St.,
Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 5-04-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Tomorrow is the "Day of Rejoicing" (Radonitsa), where we bring the joy of Pascha to the cemeteries, greeting our departed loved ones with the news of the Resurrection. This custom dates back at least to the 4th century.
I will be visiting the following cemeteries throughout the day:
- St. Patrick's Cemetery, Brasher Falls
- Bayside Cemetery, Potsdam
- Southville Cemetery, Parishville
- St. Mary's Cemetery, Waddington
Please message me if you would like to join, and/or if you have additional graves that you would like to be blessed.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy), as well as the liturgical calendar for May.
Have a blessed week!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 4-27-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Risen! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Христос воскресе! ¡Cristo ha resucitado!
We made it. What a glorious, memorable, blessed Holy Week, Pascha, and beginning to Bright Week it has been. Please upload your photos and videos to this Shared Drive folder.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy!). And here are links to excellent Paschal letters from Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Michael.
This Sunday (April 27 at 3PM), we will participate in the Potsdam Interfaith Community annual Festival of Sacred Music and Text at St. Mary's Catholic Church. We will rehearse this Saturday after Vespers.
Lastly, attached are the Paschal Hours which may be prayed in place of your usual morning and evening prayers during Bright Week. This brief and joy-filled service offers refreshment as we rest from the intensity of Holy Week, all while clinging to the immense grace that we have received.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Gregory
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 4-20-2025
Dear Faithful,
Please see the attached bulletin (thank you, Peggy!). There is an excellent walk-through of Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, Holy Saturday, and Pascha. This is what it is all about. Our entire faith, our entire life, everything centers around these blessed and holy days.
As it says in the bulletin, these services are not "dramatic re-enactments" or "ritual reproductions" but rather the "deepest spiritual and liturgical penetration into the eternal meaning of the saving events of Christ, viewed and praised already with the full knowledge of their divine significance and power."
Some additional announcements:
- The pregnancy center in Watertown sent us a very heartfelt Thank You card for the baby goods that we donated (see attached)
- I will be available to hear confessions before and after all services, or by appointment, through Wednesday night
- Holy Unction on Wednesday night is a sacrament. Ideally, you should not eat or drink anything after noon. The non-Orthodox will be anointed with blessed oil instead of sacramental unction
- If anyone would like to bring a Lenten dish on Wednesday (after the Unction/Healing service) it would be much appreciated
- Between Friday night and the start of the Paschal service, we will be keeping vigil at the tomb. Sign-up here for a 90 minute slot
- Following the midnight service, I will be blessing Pascha/Easter baskets (see attached handout from Fr. Joel Brady)
Be assured of my prayers for you and your family as we journey together to the Holy Pascha!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 4-13-2025
Dear Faithful,
We are nearing the home stretch. It is not too late to rededicate yourself to the Fast. Even those who start now (the 9th hour), are invited to draw near fearing nothing on Pascha. Remember, from an Orthodox perspective, you are not fasting, and I am not fasting, but the Church is fasting.
Please pray especially for our four catechumens preparing for Holy Illumination on Holy Saturday morning (April 19, 9:00 AM).
Attached is another wonderful bulletin from Peggy.
This Wednesday, Archbishop Michael will join us for Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 PM with a meal to follow. What a treat this will be! If you are wondering about etiquette for when the bishop visits, check the bulletin.
Attached you will also find the Holy Week Schedule and a Pascha Invitation to distribute.
Lastly, it is important to make it to Holy Confession at least once during Lent. After Vespers on Saturday, or before Liturgy (Wed or Sun) work best, or by appointment.
May God bless and keep you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 3-30-2025
Dear Faithful,
Blessed Feast of the Annunciation!
According to St. Ephraim the Syrian, “Mary conceived our Lord by [way of] her ear.”
She heard the Word of God.
She responded, “Let it be to me according to your Word.”
And in that moment, the eternal Word took flesh in her womb,
beginning the nine-month journey that leads us to the cave in Bethlehem on December 25.
May we, too, hear the Word of God and keep it!
May it continue to grow in us.
Vesperal Liturgy for the Feast is today (Tuesday) at 8am.
Please see the bulletin for other events and announcements.
Attached is the service schedule for April, which includes Holy Week and Pascha. This Wednesday is the exact midway point between the start of the fast and Pascha!
May the Precious and Life-Giving Cross strengthen you on your Lenten journey.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 3-23-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Born in Britain, St. Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave where he was forced to herd and tend sheep. There, in the silence of the meadow, he encountered the living God. As Patrick's prayer increased, so did his sense of awe and faith. He eventually escaped but later returned to Ireland of his own volition as a Christian bishop, shepherding Christ's flock and spreading the Gospel. Holy Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland, pray to God for us!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
Please join us for Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday and stay afterwards to break the fast.
There will be no services Friday night or Saturday morning since I will be traveling. However, our work day on Friday is still happening-- please come if you can! We have a lot to do.
I will return for Saturday Vespers and our "Fast and the Curious" movie night. If you missed last week's presentation on Western Saints, you can find it here.
This Sunday is the Sunday of the Cross, the halfway point! For a stunning iconographic summary of Great Lent, please see the attached PDF.
For a funny video featuring St. Patrick, go here.
Good strength to you!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
In the silence of the heart, God speaks. The fruit of silence is prayer, and the fruit of prayer is faith.
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 3-16-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
I pray that you have made a good beginning to the Great Fast! If not, now is a good time to "begin again." One way to stay on track is by attending the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evenings. This service encapsulates the Lenten spirit, and is given to sustain us and to keep us focused in the Lenten struggle. Come this Wednesday at 6pm and stay for soup and fellowship!
Also, be on the lookout later this week for your invitation to the "National Orthodox Baby Shower." Our church is joining with Orthodox parishes across the country this month to hold a "baby shower" to support mothers in crisis pregnancies who choose life for their unborn children. We will be collecting diapers, wipes, clothes, toys, and other baby items to donate to a local pregnancy resource center.
In addition to our next book study this Thursday (see bulletin), our Lenten Fellowship series, The Fast and the Curious, continues this Saturday with a talk on our Western Saints. If you missed the first two wonderful presentations, you can access them here.
Good strength and God's blessings to you!
With love and prayers,
Fr. Gregory
Leading us, O God, through the time of the Holy Fast,
Thou hast enabled us to enter its second week.
Grant, O Lord, that in the weeks to come
we may run the race with all our power.
Give to our souls and bodies grace and strength,
that with good courage and in joy we may complete the course
and come to the royal day of Thy Resurrection.
- Monday Vespers, 2nd Week of Lent
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 3-09-2025
Dear Faithful,
Great Lent is finally upon us!
Let us begin the Fast with joy. Let us give ourselves to spiritual efforts.
Let us cleanse our souls. Let us cleanse our flesh.
Let us fast from passions as we fast from foods,
taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit
and accomplishing them in love
that we all may be made worthy to see
the passion of Christ our God
and His Holy Pascha, rejoicing with spiritual joy."
—Hymn on the 1st day of Great Lent
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). We have a full lineup of services this week. You don't want to miss the Great Canon of St. Andrew (M, T, Th) and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (W).
There will be no work days this week in order to maximize our focus on prayer, fasting, and attending the profound church services.
Attached is the event guide for the Orthodox Christians for Life Babyshower. I am looking for a few volunteers to help spearhead the event. Let me know if you are interested.
For those who could not make it to Forgiveness Vespers, please forgive me for all that I have done to offend you, disappoint you, or frustrate you, and for all that I have failed to do to help or protect you.
And, for the beginning of Lent, here are archpastoral letters from Metropolitan Tikhon and from Archbishop Michael.
May God bless us all on our journey to Pascha!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 3-02-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
This coming Sunday is the "Sunday of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise" (say that five times fast!). It is also called "Cheesefare Sunday" since it is the last day to eat dairy (in the full prescription of the fast) until Pascha. And it has another name: "Forgiveness Sunday," because of the content of the Gospel reading (Matthew 16:14-21) and the rite of Forgiveness at the conclusion of vespers (immediately following liturgy). This marks our entrance into Great Lent.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). This week, we have work days on Wednesday and Friday, and liturgy on Thursday. Saturday will be our first Lenten Fellowship night at the church (see attached flyer). You don't want to miss the presentation, "Hymns of Repentance: The Orthodox Essence of Lenten Worship."
For the month of March, we will also be participating in the Orthodox Christians for Life 5th Annual Babyshower (more info coming soon). One example of the connection between fasting and almsgiving during Lent: the money you save on groceries during the fast can go toward baby supplies for families in need.
May God bless and keep you,
Fr. Gregory
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Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 2-23-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
This coming Sunday is the Sunday of the Last Judgment; just as the past two Sundays have reminded us of God’s mercy and our hope for repentance, this one reminds us of the coming judgment and the need to repent while the time is right. It is also known as “Meatfare Sunday” because it is traditionally the last day to eat meat until Pascha.
Other happenings:
Liturgy in Watertown – We will celebrate Liturgy for St. Raphael of Brooklyn at St. John the Soldier in Watertown this coming Thursday, February 20th at 9am.
Book study – We will gather at the church Thursday at 5:45pm to discuss C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce.
Work Day – We will meet from 2pm till 5pm on Friday.
Memorial Saturday – Many Saturdays of the Lenten season are dedicated to commemoration of the departed; this coming Saturday is the first of these. Please send me your list of departed loved ones by Friday (via email or text) and join for Vespers on Friday evening (5pm) at the Hermitage and Liturgy on Saturday morning (9am) at the church.
May God bless and keep you,
Fr. Gregory
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Lifegiver!
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 2-16-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). While this is a "fast free" week with regard to food, there are certain things from which we never cease fasting, such as judging others. According to the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, we have much to learn from our furry friends: “A dog is better than I am, for he has love and does not judge” (St. Xanthias).
We will be doing some demolition work downstairs and cleaning upstairs this week at the church (Wednesday at 4:00 PM and Friday at 3:30 PM).
May God bless and keep you,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
UPCOMING DIOCESAN & PARISH EVENTS
Work Days – We will have two demolition/cleaning sessions starting at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 12, and 3:30 PM on Friday, February 14. Please join if you can!
House Blessings – Fr. Gregory wants to come bless your house! Find the digital sign-up sheet here. Traditionally, house blessings are completed before the beginning of Lent, which is quickly approaching.
Parish Council Meeting -- Tuesday, February 18, 7:30 PM @ the Hermitage.
CS Lewis Book Study – Thursday, February 20, 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM @ the church. This session we will discuss CS Lewis' "The Great Divorce." The next gathering will be March 13th. Contact Joseph Stark if you are interested.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAFETY - please use caution or avoid using the side entrance that leads into the side narthex. It is icy and near many large icicles.
Coffee Hour - Sign up here or on the list at Church.
Commemoration Lists - Submit names of Living and Departed to be commemorated at the Divine Liturgy. Lists can be found near the candles.
Special Services by request - If you would like Liturgy to be celebrated on a certain day, or would like to pray a particular Akathist, etc., please let Father know!
PARISH NEEDS
-Shoveling and Trash Removal - please consider volunteering for shoveling or trash removal for a weekend. Sign up here.
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 2-09-2025
Dear Faithful,
Joyous Afterfeast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple!
In our world of instant gratification, St. Symeon reminds us how sometimes we need to wait on the Lord. Attached is a rendition of St. Symeon's prayer courtesy of St. Tikhon's seminary choir as well as this week's bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
I hope to see some of you Thursday morning for Liturgy at 8am.
May God bless and keep you,
Fr. Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 2-02-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Thank you for a great annual meeting yesterday. It is an exciting time for our church!
Attached is the bulletin for the week (thank you, Peggy) and the calendar for February. Just a reminder, we will have Liturgy this Thursday morning at 8am for the Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs: Ss. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, the translation of whose relics we celebrate today.
This feast sets the seal to the month of January, in which all three saints are commemorated (Jan 1 - St. Basil; Jan 25 - St. Gregory; Jan 27 - St. John). The feast was instituted around 1100AD as a compromise to settle a dispute amongst those who argued over which saint was most important. These saints are great helpers for those who study and teach.
All are welcome to join on Thursday evening for our first Dostoevsky book study at 5:45pm at the Church. You can find the text here. This coming Sunday is the beautiful Feast of the Meeting of the Lord. We will bless candles after liturgy and so bring any candles that you want to be blessed.
May God bless and keep you all!
Fr. Gregory
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Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 1-26-2025
Dear Faithful,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
This week, we remember St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, who physically (with bricks) and spiritually (with her prayers) built up the Church, all done in secret. May she intercede on behalf of St. Olympia's and our newly formed Building Committee.
Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy) along with the minutes from last year's Annual Meeting, which we will vote to accept at this year's Annual Meeting on Sunday. The proposed 2025 budget and other reports will be distributed in the coming days.
May God bless and keep you all!
Fr Gregory
--
Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 1-19-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Baptized! Tomorrow is the Leave taking of the glorious Feast of Theophany and the Feast day of St. Nina, Enlightener of Georgia.
In Georgia, 4 out of 5 people are Orthodox Christians to this day thanks to St. Nina who sanctified the nation with the following prayer: “O Lord, send down Thy mercy upon this nation...that all nations may glorify Thee alone, the One True God, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” May this be our prayer as well.
Attached is another great bulletin (thank you, Peggy).
Here are some additional reminders:
- Fr. Gregory is still collecting parishioner information to better keep track of Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc. Please fill out this form on behalf of yourself and your family.
- It's House Blessing Season! You can sign up online here or at the church
.
- Please fill out this pledge form or the hard copy form at the church and return to Fr. Gregory or our Assistant Treasurer, Jonathan Jones.
- Come to the Dosteovsky book study, beginning Thursday, January 30 at 5:45pm at the Church. We will be discussing Notes from the Underground from various perspectives. Contact Joseph (josephstark3@hotmail.com) if you are interested or have questions.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
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Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 1-12-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Baptized! In the Jordan! Happy Feast of Theophany to all.
You do not want to overlook the attached bulletin (thank you, Peggy!), especially the article entitled, "Theophany: The Feast of Humility." There is no depth of humility to which God is not ready to sink for our sakes. He is constantly lowering Himself. May this be an example and an encouragement to us.
Here are some additional reminders:
- We will have an altar server retreat this Saturday (10am - 1pm) at St. Olympia's. Please RSVP to me so we can order enough food (we'll have pizza arrive at 12:30).
- It's House Blessing Season! You can sign up online here or at the church.
- Please fill out this pledge form or the hard copy form at the church and return to me or our Assistant Treasurer, Jonathan Jones. As you will see, there are many ways to contribute to the mission. Ask yourself, "What is the best I can give based on all that God has given me?"
May this Theophany season be filled with light!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory
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Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
St Olympia Orthodox Church - Week of 1-04-2025
Dear Faithful,
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
What a beautiful, festive week it has been. Attached is the bulletin (thank you, Peggy). Enclosed, you will find many exciting services coming up, including a New Year's Eve Vigil, Lake Blessing (please dress warm this Sunday), and Great Vespers and Liturgy for Theophany.
May we take advantage of the many opportunities to give thanks to the Lord for 2024 and to start off 2025 with a spiritual boost.
One of the great blessings of the past year has been our flood recovery initiative, championed by Fr Alexey Karlgut and His Eminence Archbishop Michael. Yesterday's Benefit Concert hosted by Ss. Peter and Paul in Endicott brought in an additional $20,000! One parishioner captured it perfectly: "The generosity of donations is simply overwhelming!"
Also, in case you missed it, here is the Nativity Letter from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.
Have a Blessed New Year!
Yours in Christ,
Fr Gregory
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Rev. Gregory Fedorchak, Ph.D.
Parish Priest - St. Olympia Orthodox Church
34 N Main St., Norwood, NY 13668