This Sunday, we commemorate the martyrdom of St. Nicholas, whose feast is a celebration of the Church’s witness to the Resurrection and a reminder of our own call to stand firm in faith. We keep Tone 6 this week, as we reflect on the Gospel accounts of the early Church’s struggles and triumphs. The Epistle reading from Hebrews 11:9-10; 13:7 emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in the face of persecution, just as Abraham and other saints have done before us.
This week’s Divine Liturgy will also include a memorial for Peter Magerko. If you cannot be with us in person, our services are streamed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stnicholasjoliet) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@st.nicholasjoliet). Come and pray with us.
✦ About this Sunday
This Sunday’s Gospel reading from Matthew reminds us that the kingdom of God is a joyous and inclusive gathering of all people, not just those who are already part of the Church. In the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus teaches us about the importance of being invited to the banquet of salvation and the tragedy of rejecting such an invitation. As we prepare for the start of Great Lent, this Sunday’s reading encourages us to reflect on our own relationship with God and the world around us.
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Today — September 6th, 2026
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Commemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossæ
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Martyrs Eudoxius, Zeno, and Macarius (†311-312)
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St. Archippus (Arkhipp) of Herapolis
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Martyr Romulus, and with him many others (†107-115)
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Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna (†3rd-4th c.)
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Martyrs Cyriacus, Faustus the Presbyter, Abibas the Deacon, and 11 others, at Alexandria (†ca. 250)
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St. David of Hermopolis, Egypt (†4th c.)
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Hieromartyr Priest Maxim Sandovich (†1914)
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Services
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Week Ahead
Mon Sep 7 | Sat Sep 12 | Sun Sep 13 |
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Nativity of Theotokos | 5:00 pm Vespers 6:00 pm Parish Board Meeting | 9:40 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:40 am Fellowship Hour |
☩ Coming up in Orthodoxy
Mon, Sep 7
Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Tue, Sep 8
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Wed, Sep 9
Uncovering of the Relics of St. Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov
Thu, Sep 10
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Fri, Sep 11
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sat, Sep 12
Saturday before Elevation
Sun, Sep 13
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Cross
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Announcements
Raised to date: $10,350
Still needed: $27,650
Thanks to the generosity of seven parish households, we have raised 27.23% of the amount needed for our roof project. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has already contributed. We prayerfully ask every parish household to participate according to its ability. Every gift, large or small, will help preserve our church building for worship, fellowship, and future generations. Donations may be made as a single contribution or in installments and may also be offered in memory or in honor of a loved one.
Midwest. Your generosity will help defray the costs for our diocesan seminarians, many of whom relocate
their families to pursue theological studies. On September 20th, we will have a second collection. Just
specify which donation is for SOS. Please give generously. Thank you!
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Parish Celebrations
Birthdays & Namedays: The Perry Family (27th Anniversary, September 7) · Happy Birthday – Stefan Andreev (September 7th), Marlo Perry (September 13),
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Stewardship
$1,027.75
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
We lift up the following in prayer, that God may grant them healing and grace:
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Today’s Saints
✠ Reflection on Matthew 22:1-14
In this parable of the wedding feast, we are reminded that God’s invitation to His kingdom is not a casual or optional matter. The king’s son has prepared everything in readiness for his guests, but they have deliberately rejected the invitation and even persecuted those who brought it to them. This teaches us that our response to God’s call is not a matter of indifference, but rather a choice between life and death. It invites us to consider whether we have truly accepted the gift of salvation offered to us in Christ, or if we have been rejecting His love and mercy through our choices and actions.
▶ In Case You Missed It
Father reflected on the importance of unity with the Church and the Holy Spirit, encouraging parishioners to ask themselves how they can live in harmony with God’s will. He emphasized the need to understand and trust in God’s plan for our lives, as revealed through the prophets and the teachings of Christ. Father also reminded us that we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, guiding us towards a life of faith and obedience.
▶ Watch last Sunday’s sermon — Sermon — Divine Liturgy & Catechumen Session, August 30, 2026
Did you know?
— Anaphora is a key element in Orthodox Christian worship, referring to the prayer of consecration offered by the priest during the Divine Liturgy. In this prayer, he invokes the Holy Spirit and asks God to transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, thus uniting us with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The anaphora is a solemn moment in the liturgy, expressing our gratitude for salvation and our desire to become one with Christ.
Bulletin Sponsor: September – Smith Family for the health of Joslyn