As we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Pascha, we are reminded of Christ’s healing presence in our lives. The Epistle reading from Acts describes St. Peter’s ministry to a paralytic at Lydda, where he bore him on his back so that he could be cured and walk again. Today’s Gospel continues this theme of miraculous healing, as the Lord Jesus heals the paralytic at Bethesda, saying "Rise, take up your pallet, and go home."
In our celebration of Pascha, we are drawn into Christ’s story, where we see His power to heal and transform lives. St. Peter’s ministry and Christ’s own miracles serve as a reminder that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a lived experience of God’s love in the world.
This Sunday, we gather for Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, where we will celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation for James Ferencak. We invite all to join us as we rejoice with this family in their new life in Christ.
☩ Holy Baptism & Chrismation
James (Jim) Ferencak
May 3rd, 2026
☩ Today — May 3rd, 2026
✦ Ven. Theodosius, Abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery and Founder of Cœnobitic Monasticism in Russia (1074)
✦ Martyrs Timothy the Reader and his wife Maura of Antinoë in Egypt (ca. 286)
✦ St. Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argolis (10th c.)
✦ “Svena” Icon of the Mother of God (1288)
✦ Holy Great Martyr Xenia of Kalamata (291)
✦ Services
9:20 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
9:30 am Sacrament of Chrismation – James (Jim) Ferencak
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:40 am Fellowship Hour
☩ Week Ahead
Mon
May 4
Fri
May 8
Sat
May 9
Sun
May 10
7:00 pm
Orthodox Bible Study
6:00 pm
Parish Board Meeting
5:00 pm
Vespers
9:20 am
Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
9:30 am
Scarament of Baptism and Chrismation – Nick Notson
10:00 am
Divine Liturgy
11:40 am
Fellowship Hour
✦ Announcements
Exciting News for Graduating Seniors!
The St. Nicholas Scholarship is now open again, offering a
fantastic opportunity for students to pursue their academic dreams. Don’t miss this chance to apply and
secure support for your future endeavors.
Sunday School
Dear Parents -Thank you for bringing your children to our Sunday school classes, it has been so
wonderful to see so many happy children learning about our faith week to week. The Sunday School
classes will end on Sunday, May 24th for the Summer and will resume Sunday, September 13th.
Fellowship Hour
If wondering when to sign up, there is no wrong time. Great reasons to host include
birthdays, wedding anniversaries or memorial anniversaries. Hosting fellowship hour can be a great way
to multiply your happiness or divide your sorrow. Sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/2026-Fellowship-Hour
We Need Everyone’s Help Old cemetery clean-up, Saturday May 16th at 10:00am. Please bring:
rakes; shovels; lawn work tools of all kind; gloves; lawn bags; water/refreshments for yourself; wear yard
work clothes; plan on getting dirty. St. Nicholas Old Cemetery At 350 Princeton Ave., Lockport, IL
✦ Parish Celebrations
✦ Many Years! ✦
Newly Illumined: James (Jim) Ferencak
✦ Stewardship
$1,497.00
Stewardship Corner
Sunday, April 26th, 2026
Thank you for your generous stewardship
☩ Please Remember in Your Prayers
We lift up the following in prayer, that God may grant them healing and grace:
Many miracles in the Old Testament involve water. To name but a few, the water of the Nile turned to blood after Moses lifted his rod and struck the water before Pharaoh and His servants (Exodus 7:20).
Martyr Timothy the Reader and his wife, Maura, in Egypt
Saints Timothy and Maura suffered for the faith during the persecution under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Saint Timothy came from the village of Perapa (Egyptian Thebaid), and was the son of a priest named Pikolpossos.
Venerable Theodosius, Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves Monastery, and Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism in Russia
Saint Theodosius of the Caves, was the Father of monasticism in Russia. He was born at Vasilevo, not far from Kiev.
Saint Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos
Saint Peter the Wonderworker, Bishop of Argos in the Peloponnesos, lived during the ninth and early tenth centuries, and was raised by pious parents. Saint Peter’s parents, and later his brothers Paul, Dionysius, Platon and Saint Peter himself, all became monks.
“Svena” Icon of the Mother of God
The Svena Caves Icon of the Mother of God was painted by Saint Alypios of the Caves (August 17). In the Icon the Mother of God is depicted sitting upon a throne, and with the Divine Infant on her lap.
Translation of the Dormition Icon of the Mother of God from Constantinople to the Kiev Caves, Far Caves
The Kiev Caves Icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most ancient icons in the Russian Orthodox Church. The Mother of God entrusted it to four Byzantine architects, who in 1073 brought the icon to Saints Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves.
Saint Mamai, Catholicos of Georgia
Saint Mamai served as chief shepherd of the Georgian faithful from 731 to 744. The information we have about his life is scarce, but it is known that Saint Mamai was abbot of Zedazeni Monastery and died a martyr for Christ.
Saints Michael and Arsenius of Ulompo, Georgia
The biographies of Saints Michael and Arsenius the Georgians have unfortunately not been preserved. It is believed that at some point Arsenius moved from Khandzta Monastery to Palestine and labored there with a certain Macarius of Leteti.
Saint Ekouménios, Wonderworker of Trikala
There is much disagreement about Saint Ekouménios (Οικουμένιος), concerning his identity and exactly when he lived. According to prevailing opinion, Saint Ekouménios lived in the late X century (ca. 995).
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Holy Great Martyr Xenia of Kalamata
Saint Xenia (Xenίa) was born at Kalamata (Kalamáta) in the Peloponnesos (Pelopónnēsos) in the year 291. Her parents were named Nicholas and Despina (Déspina), who were devout Christians from the eastern part of Italy.
Bulletin Sponsor: May- Smith Family for the health of Police/Fire/Military
