Today we commemorate the Prophet Elias, one of the greatest figures in our biblical tradition, who stood before God on Mount Carmel and prayed for rain to end a long drought. This Sunday’s Gospel presents a moment of great turmoil, as Jesus walks on the waters of the Sea of Galilee to reach His disciples, who are struggling to stay afloat in a storm. We keep Tone 2, and the week ahead is filled with opportunities for prayer and reflection.
Our Vespers service on Saturday evening will prepare us for the Lord’s Day, when we gather for Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am. Confession is available before the Liturgy, and the Catechumen Lesson follows immediately after. If you cannot be with us in person, the services are streamed live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stnicholasjoliet) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@st.nicholasjoliet). We invite you to join us for prayer and worship.
✦ About this Sunday
Today, we commemorate a remarkable saint who played a crucial role in spreading the light of Christ to the people of Alaska in the 19th century. St. Jacob (Netsvetov) was a faithful servant and missionary who brought the joy of Orthodoxy to the native peoples of that distant land, leaving behind a legacy of faith and devotion. As we honor his memory, let us remember the importance of evangelism and mission, and pray for continued guidance in sharing the Good News with all nations.
☩ Today — July 26th, 2026
✦ Repose of St. Jacob (Netsvetov), Enlightener of the Peoples of Alaska (1864)
✦ Hieromartyr Hermolaus and Martyrs Hermippus and Hermocrates at Nicomedia (ca. 305)
✦ Ven. Moses the Hungarian, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—ca
✦ Martyr Paraskevi of Rome (2nd c.)
✦ Ven. Gerontius of St. Anne Skete (Mt. Athos)
✦ The “EMVOLON” Icon of the Mother of God in Constantinople
✦ Services
9:10 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
11:00 am Catechumen Lesson
11:20 am Fellowship Hour
☩ Week Ahead
Sat
Aug 1
Sun
Aug 2
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
Mon, Jul 27 Holy Greatmartyr and Healer Panteleimon
Sat, Aug 1 Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Lifegiving Cross of the Lord
✦ Announcements
Many Thanks
Rousonelos Family for hosting todays fellowship hour.
Upcoming Projects
We are preparing to begin the replacement of the flat roof of our church building, a much needed project with an estimated cost of over $30,000. Your generous gifts to the Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) make projects like this possible and help preserve our parish for future generations. We humbly ask for your continued prayerful support of the CIF.
St. Jacob Netsvetov
St. Jacob Netsvetov was the first Native Alaskan ordained as an Orthodox priest and is venerated as the “Enlightener of the Alaskan Peoples.” His father was Russian, and his mother was an Aleut from Atka Island. After graduating from the Irkutsk Theological Seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1828 and returned to his native Alaska to preach the Word of God in their native languages. A gifted translator and educator, he assisted St. Innocent in translating the Holy Scriptures and other texts into Alaskan languages and founded bilingual schools. He was glorified as a saint by the OCA in 1995.
The Formation Fast
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos is celebrated on August 15th and is preceded by a two-week fast beginning on August 1st. This great feast is often called the Summer Pascha, as it commemorates the death, burial, and glorious translation of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Our knowledge of the Dormition comes from the Church’s Holy Tradition, preserved in the writings of St. Dionysios the Areopagite, St. Andrew of Crete, and the Church’s sacred hymnography.
Fool-For-Christ
One form of the ascetic Christian life rooted in 1 Corinthians 4:10. It describes believers who deliberately renounce worldly status, wealth, and social conventions to serve God. By acting in ways perceived as “crazy,” they place spiritual devotion above human wisdom. They embraced this ascetic calling to cultivate humility and more effectively reach others, since many receive the ordinary sermon with indifference.
PICNIC AT OUR NEIGHBORING PARISH
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church is holding its SerbFest on Sunday, August 2nd, beginning at noon. Enjoy BBQ lamb, shish kebab, hot dogs, nachos, desserts, live music, and plenty of activities for children. The festival will be held at St. Joe’s Park, 700 Theodore St., Joliet, IL.
✦ Parish Celebrations
✦ Many Years! ✦
Birthdays & Namedays: Birthdays: Natalia Shiltsev — July 27 Matthew Venhrynovych — July 31 Ludmila Sheltynets — August 1 Daniel Ouchakov — August 1 Danylo Marko — August 2 Anniversaries: Iryna & Serhiy Hadzhula — August 1
✦ Stewardship
$1,040.00
Stewardship Corner
Sunday, July 19th, 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:
Repose of Saint Jacob Netsvetov, Enlightener of the Peoples of Alaska
Father Jacob (Netsvetov) of Alaska was born of pious parents in 1802 on Atka Island, Alaska. His father, Yegor Vasil’evich Netsvetov was a Russian from Tobolsk. His mother, Maria Alekseevna, was an Aleut from Atka island. Yegor and Maria had four children who survived infancy; Jacob was the…
Hieromartyr Hermolaus and Martyrs Hermippus and Hermocrates at Nicomedia
Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates of Nicomedia, were among the small number of those remaining alive after 20,000 Christians were burned alive in a church at Nicomedia in the year 303 (December 28), on the orders of the emperor Maximian (284-305). They lived in remote places and did…
Venerable Moses the Hungarian of the Kiev Near Caves
Venerable Moses of the Kiev Caves, a Hungarian by birth, was the brother of Venerable Ephraim of Novy Torg (+ January 28, 1053) and George. Together with them he entered the service of the holy Prince Boris (+ July 24, 1015). After the murder of Saint Boris in 1015 on the Alta River, with whom…
Martyr Paraskevi of Rome
Holy Virgin Martyr Paraskevi (Paraskevḗ) of Rome was the only daughter of Christian parents, Agathon and Politia, and from her early years she dedicated herself to God. She spent much of her time in prayer and the study of the Holy Scriptures. After the death of her parents Saint Paraskevi…
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Venerable Geróntios, the Founder of the Skḗtē of Saint Anna on Mount Athos
Saint Geróntios was the Igoumen of the old Bouleuterίon Monastery on Mount Athos. But since this Monastery was near the seashore and was subject to many barbarian raids, it was abandoned by the monks, who moved to other inaccessible places on Mount Athos. So Saint Geróntios and his disciple…
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Icon of the Mother of God in Constantinople of “Emvolon”
No information available at this time.
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Saint Savva III of Serbia
Saint Savva III was Archbishop of Serbia from 1305 -1316. He is also commemorated on August 30.
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Holy Virgin Martyr Oraiozele, disciple of the Holy Apostle Andrew
Saint Oraiozele (Oraiozélē) lived in Byzantium during the first century. At first she was an idol-worshipper, but then she became a Christian when she heard the preaching of Saint Andrew, who baptized her. Oraiozele was an educated woman and was able to learn all the truths of the Gospel…
✠ Reflection on Matthew 14:14-22
As we behold Christ’s compassion for the multitudes, we are reminded that His love knows no bounds and is always ready to meet our needs. The five loaves and two fish that the disciples offered in humble faith become the instruments of a miracle, teaching us that even the smallest offerings can be transformed by God’s power into abundance. In this feeding of the multitude, Christ reveals Himself as both the source of life and the one who distributes it, showing us that our role is not to accumulate wealth or resources, but to offer ourselves and our gifts back to Him. As we receive His provision in our own lives, may we be filled with gratitude and faith, trusting that He will multiply our smallest efforts into a feast for others.
💡 Did you know?
epitrachelion — The epitrachelion is a long, narrow stole worn by Orthodox priests during divine services. It symbolizes the priest’s role as an extension of Christ’s authority and love for his people, and is often decorated with crosses or other sacred symbols. The epitrachelion is typically made of luxurious fabric, such as silk or wool, and is a distinctive part of the priest’s vestments.
Bulletin Sponsor: July- Smith Family for the health of Adriana
