Today we gather around the Lord’s table as His disciples did in the first century, commemorating the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Their legacy of faith and doctrine continues to shape our understanding of the Orthodox Church. As we celebrate their feast day on this Afterfeast of Ascension Sunday, may we be inspired by their zeal for truth and their commitment to unity with God.
The scripture readings for today speak of the apostle Paul’s travels and his desire to return to Jerusalem, but also of Christ’s prayer for His disciples that they might be one as He and the Father are one. As we pray together in the Divine Liturgy, may our hearts be filled with a deeper sense of unity and love.
Join us in worship today at 9:20 am for Third & Sixth Hours, followed by Confession; then at 10:00 am for Divine Liturgy, where Annette Henning will be baptized into the Orthodox Church. We welcome you to join us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stnicholasjoliet) or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@st.nicholasjoliet) if you cannot be with us in person.
✦ About this Sunday
Today we commemorate a significant milestone in the history of our Orthodox faith. We honor the Holy Fathers who gathered at Nicaea in 325 AD to define the true nature of Christ, rejecting the errors of Arianism and affirming the divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through their bold witness, these fathers ensured that the Church would remain steadfast in its proclamation of the eternal truths of God’s Word, guiding us still today as we strive to live according to the teachings of our Lord.
☩ Holy Baptism & Chrismation
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Today — May 24th, 2026
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Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
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Afterfeast of Ascension
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Ven. Simeon the Stylite (the Younger) of the Wonderful Mountain (596)
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Ven. Niketas the Stylite, Wonderworker of Pereyaslavl’—Zalesskii (1186)
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Martyrs Meletius Stratelates, Stephen, John, and 1,218 soldiers, with women and children, including Serapion the Egyptian, Callinicus the Magician, Theodore, Faustus, the women: Marciana, Susanna, and Palladia, two children: Cyriacus and Christian, and twelve Tribunes—Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore, Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus, Mercurius, and Didymus, all of whom suffered in Galatia (138-161)
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St. Vincent of Lérins
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Services
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Week Ahead
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Sat
May 30
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Sun
May 31
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5:00 pm
Vespers
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9:40 am
Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
10:00 am
Divine Liturgy
11:40 am
Fellowship Hour
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☩ Coming up in Orthodoxy
Mon, May 25
Third Finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
Tue, May 26
Afterfeast of Ascension
Wed, May 27
Afterfeast of Ascension
Thu, May 28
Afterfeast of Ascension
Fri, May 29
Leavetaking of the Ascension
Sat, May 30
Memorial Saturday
Sun, May 31
Holy Pentecost: Feast of the Holy Trinity
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Announcements
minutes earlier (at 9:30am) for the Summer season. This change will remain in effect until September 6TH
.
Thank you for adjusting your schedule accordingly!
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Parish Celebrations
Birthdays & Namedays: Happy Birthday to Roman Venhrynovych, Daniel Andreev & Luda Hamlin on May 25TH
Iwan Bodnarchuk on May 29TH, and Olga Kartush on May 31ST
Happy Anniversary to Nancy & Robert Srygler on May 29th
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Stewardship
$1,804.26
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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
Did you know?
— During early Christian worship services, the Liturgy of the Catechumens was the first half of the Divine Liturgy, which prepared catechumens (those seeking baptism and membership in the Church) for their eventual initiation into full communion. This portion typically included readings from the Old Testament, psalms, prayers, and hymns, as well as the chanting of the Epistle and Gospel lessons. Its purpose was to instruct and edify those not yet fully initiated, while also gathering the community together in prayer and worship.
Bulletin Sponsor: May – Smith Family for the health of Police/Fire/Military