The feast of the Prophet Elias is celebrated with joy this Sunday. We honor his unwavering trust in God, even when surrounded by darkness and uncertainty. Tone 6 sets the tone for our worship today. The Gospel reading from Matthew reminds us that faith can move mountains, but it begins with a willingness to see beyond what is visible.
The week ahead is marked by the celebration of Vespers on Saturday evening, which will prepare us once again for the Lord’s Day. If you cannot be with us in person, the services are streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
We invite all to come and pray with us as we give thanks for the example of the Prophet Elias.
✦ About this Sunday
Today, we celebrate a Sunday of great significance in our liturgical year, one that brings us face to face with the mysteries of spiritual growth and maturity. The Gospel reading from Matthew reminds us that true faith is not just about knowledge or ritual observance, but about compassion, forgiveness, and selfless love. As we hear the Apostle Paul’s words from Romans, calling us to live out our faith in tangible ways, may we be inspired to deepen our own spiritual lives and to support one another on our journey towards holiness.
☩ Today — July 12th, 2026
✦ Michael Maleinos (962)
✦ Martyrs Theodore and his son, John, of Kyiv (983)
✦ Ven. Arseny of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ (1570)
✦ Ven. Simon, Abbot of Volomsk (1641)
✦ Martyr Mary of Persia (591)
✦ Ven. John (998) and Gabriel, of the Holy Mountain (Georgian)
✦ Icon of the Mother of God, “The Three Hands.” (8TH c.)
✦ Saint Serapion the New (3RD c.).
✦ Services
9:10 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
11:10 am Fellowship Hour
☩ Week Ahead
Fri
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18
Sun
Jul 19
6:00pm
Parish Board Meeting
5:00 pm
Vespers
9:30 am
Divine Liturgy & Catechumen Session
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Joliet IL, 1000 Barber Ln, Joliet, IL 60435, USA
11:30 am
Fellowship Hour
☩ Coming up in Orthodoxy
Wed, Jul 15 Holy Great Prince Vladimir (Basil in Baptism), Equal of the Apostles, and Enlightener of Rus’
Sun, Jul 19 Uncovering of the Relics of Ven. Seraphim of Sarov
✦ Announcements
Blessing of Vehicles
In commemoration of the holy prophet Elijah (July 20) we will be offering the annual blessing of vehicles. As we read in the Second Book of Kings, the Prophet Elias was taken up to heaven in a vehicle – a chariot of fire – becoming a rare example of an individual who would not experience physical death. Thus, the Lord provides a blessed vehicle as a sign of His blessing, and a means of translation unto Life Eternal. Honoring his ascent to heaven in a fiery chariot, this custom asks for divine protection and assigns a guardian angel to keep passengers safe during their travels. While traditionally meant for automobiles, we welcome all wheeled transportation, including motorcycles, bicycles, and even skateboards.
Many Thanks
Andreev Family for hosting todays fellowship hour
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
Birthdays & Namedays: Happy Birthday to Denise Baran on July 15TH, Alisa Studionova on July 18TH and Israel Llamas on July 19TH Happy Anniversary to Valerie & Andrew Haug on July 18TH
✦ Stewardship
$2,516.37
Stewardship Corner
Sunday, July 5TH, 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:
The Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion were natives of the village of Kallippi, near Ancyra, and they suffered during the time of a persecution under the emperor Trajan (98-117). Saint Proclus was put under arrest first. Brought before the governor Maximus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in…
Venerable Michael Maleinos
Saint Michael lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine VI (913-959) until the reign of Basil II, the Bulgar-slayer (976 – 1025). He was born in Cappadocia to devout and wealthy parents, Eudókimos and Anastasó (Ἀναστασῶ). Eustáthios, his paternal grandfather, was a patrician; and…
Martyrs Theodore and his son, John, of Kiev
The Holy Martyrs Theodore the Varangian and his son John lived at Kiev in the tenth century, when the Varangians, ancestors of the present day Swedes and Norwegians took an active role in the governance and military life of Rus. Merchants and soldiers, they opened up new trade routes to Byzantium…
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Venerable Arsenius of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ
No information available at this time.
Venerable Simon, Abbot of Volomsk
Hosiomartyr Simon of Volomsk, in the world Simon, son of the peasant Michael from the vicinity of Volokolamsk, was born in the year 1586. At 24 years of age, after long pilgrimage through Orthodox monasteries, he received monastic tonsure at the Pinegsk Makariev monastery. In the year 1613 he…
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Martyr Golinduc (in Baptism Mary), of Persia
The Holy martyr Golinduc, in Baptism Mary, lived in Persia during the reign of Chosroes I the Elder. She was the wife of the chief magician of the Persian empire. Endowed with a lucid mind, Golinduc perceived the falseness of the pagan wisdom, and she pondered much about what the true Faith might…
Venerable John the Georgian of Mount Athos
Saint John was born the son of a nobleman during the reign of King Davit Kuropalates. For his love of Christ he left his family and the world to be tonsured a monk. After informing the royal court of his decision, Saint John received a blessing from his spiritual father to travel to Greece, where…
Venerable Gabriel the Georgian of Mount Athos
Saint Gabriel was a monk of the Ivḗron Monastery on Mt. Athos. In summer he would withdraw to the inaccessible cliffs, and in winter he would return to the monastery and observe a strict rule of silence. Clad in a coarse robe and eating nothing but roots and herbs, Saint Gabriel was truly a…
Icon of the Mother of God “of the Three Hands” on Mount Athos
The Icon of the Mother of God “Of the Three Hands”: The wonderworking icon, before which Saint John of Damascus (December 4) received healing of his amputated hand, was given by him to the Lavra of Saint Savva the Sanctified. In the thirteenth century the icon was in Serbia, and…
Saint Veronica (Bernice), the woman with the issue of blood
The account of the woman with an issue of blood, who had the unusual name of Veronica, may be found in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew (9:20-22), in Saint Mark’s Gospel (5:25-34), and also in Saint Luke’s Gospel (8:43-49). The Synaxaristes of Saint Νikόdēmos of the Holy Mountain states…
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Saint Serapion the New
Saint Serapion (Σεραπίων) lived in Alexandria during the reign of Emperor Severus (222-235). He was a devout man who did whatever was beneficial. He was arrested by the archon Aquila, and when he was asked what religion he followed, he confessed courageously that he believed in Christ and…
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Venerable Paisios of the Holy Mountain
Venerable Father Paisios (Paϊsios) of the Holy Mountain was born to devout parents, Pródromos (Prodromos) and Eulampίa Enzepίde (Enzepίdē), at Pharasa (Phárasa) in Cappadocia on July 25, 1924. Shortly before the family left for Greece because of the exchange of populations,1 he was baptized…
Prodromitsa Icon of the Mother of God
This Icon is kept in the Moldavian Theophany (now Prodromou)1 Skete on Mount Athos, about an hour’s walk from the Lavra of St. Athanasios. In 1863, Igoumen Niphon, accompanied by several monks, went to Moldavia on the Monastery’s business. Arriving at Iași, the capital of Moldavia, the Athonite…
▶ In Case You Missed It
Father reflected on the story of Jesus healing two demon-possessed individuals in a nearby town. He emphasized that these people knew immediately who Jesus was, recognizing Him as the Son of God. In contrast, many others struggled to understand His identity, and it wasn’t until Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Son of the living God that their faith was clarified.
Father also noted how this story highlights the struggle we face today, where evil and demons can possess people’s hearts if they are not filled with God’s presence. He cautioned against allowing ourselves to become closer to the devil through our choices and actions, urging us instead to seek a deeper relationship with God and His Holy Spirit.
doxology — A doxology is a hymn of praise to God that expresses adoration and gratitude for His divine nature and works. It typically begins with the words "Glory to God in the highest" and may be accompanied by the sign of the cross or other gestures of reverence. The doxology is often sung after liturgical readings, prayers, or sacraments as a way to give thanks and glorify God.
Bulletin Sponsor: July — Smith Family for the health of Adriana
