Today we commemorate the Holy Apostle Matthew. His Epistle reminds us of the importance of humility and the need for spiritual rebirth, while in the Gospel, he recounts Jesus’ famous parable about the two sons who were asked to work in the vineyard. As we reflect on this teaching, let us not forget that true obedience is not merely external, but also involves the internal conversion of our hearts.
We keep Tone 3 and the Apostles’ Fast continues throughout the week. On Saturday evening, Vespers will prepare us for the Lord’s Day. 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). Come and pray with us.
✦ About this Sunday
Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew reminds us that our faith is not just a matter of intellectual understanding or emotional experience, but also of spiritual discipline and trust in God’s providence. As we reflect on the story of Peter walking on the water, we are invited to confront our own doubts and fears, and to seek the Lord’s guidance and strength as we navigate life’s challenges. This Sunday’s readings offer us a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life grounded in prayer, obedience, and trust in God’s loving plan for us.
☩ Today — August 2nd, 2026
✦ Translation of the Relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople (ca. 428), and the finding of the Relics of the Righteous Νikόdēmos, Gamaliel, and Abibas (ca. 428)
✦ Blessed Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ (1552)
✦ Holy Fool Basil of Kamen (15th c.)
✦ Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome, and those with him (257)
✦ Services
9:10 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
9:30 am Divine Liturgy & Memorial for ND Maria Chervak (31 July 2026)
11:00 am Catechumen Lesson
11:10 am Fellowship Hour
☩ Week Ahead
Thu
Aug 6
Fri
Aug 7
Sat
Aug 8
Sun
Aug 9
9:30 am
Divine Liturgy with Blessing of Fruit
6:00 pm
Parish Board Meeting
5:00 pm
Vespers
Dormition Fast
9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Joliet IL, 1000 Barber Ln, Joliet, IL 60435, USA
11:30 am
Fellowship Hour
☩ Coming up in Orthodoxy
Wed, Aug 5 Forefeast of the Transfiguration
Thu, Aug 6 The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Fri, Aug 7 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration
Sat, Aug 8 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration
Sun, Aug 9 Afterfeast of the Transfiguration
✦ Announcements
Many Thanks
Foster Family for hosting todays fellowship hour.
Annette Henning, James Grimaldi, Maria Llamas, Marlo Perry and Aaron Weinert for cleaning and organizing the church library and book store.
Upcoming Projects
We are preparing to begin the replacement of the flat roof on 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.
Volunteer Needed – Help Preserve Our Parish History
We are seeking a volunteer to help preserve our parish history by digitizing our collection of church videotapes. If you have experience with video conversion or are willing to learn, your time and talents would be a meaningful contribution to future generations of our parish family. If you are interested in assisting, please speak with Fr. Mykola.
Backpack Blessing
Students and educators are encouraged to bring their backpacks and briefcases to church on August 16TH to be blessed! Also, on that day we will have a Ice Cream Social. All participants will receive an icon card to keep in their backpacks or their icon corner.
The Blessing of the Fruit
It is the tradition on the Day of Transfiguration to consecrate grapes after the Divine Liturgy. The custom of bringing fruit to the temple for consecration dates back to the Old Testament time. The farmers used to bring the early grapes and other fruits to Church to be blessed and give thanks to God. On this feast we bless fruit is the symbol of transfiguration, new life and God’s gifts.
✦ Parish Celebrations
✦ Many Years! ✦
Birthdays & Namedays: Happy Birthday to Danylo Marko on August 2ND, Alex Ouchakov on August 3RD, Alexis Ouchakov on August 5TH, Elizabeth Shiltsev on August 7TH, Sevasti Bergstrom on August 8TH.
Happy Anniversary to Sophia & Zachary Missen (Bodnar) on August 4TH.
✦ Stewardship
$1,088.55
Stewardship Corner
Sunday, July 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:
Translation of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople
The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople took place about the year 428. After the holy Protomartyr Archdeacon Stephen was stoned by the Jews, they left his holy body unburied to be devoured by the beasts and birds. After a day and a night the…
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Finding of the relics of Righteous Saint Νikόdēmos
Saint Νikόdēmos was a prominent Pharisee who believed in Christ. The Savior explained to him how man is regenerated through Baptism, but he did not understand how a man could be born again. When the Lord reproved him for his ignorance, he accepted it with humility (John 3:1-21). Νikόdēmos…
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Finding of the relics of Saint Gamaliel
Saint Gamaliel was a Pharisee, a doctor of the Law (Acts 5:34), and the teacher of Saint Paul (Acts 22:3). In the year 415, Saint Gamaliel appeared to a priest named Lucian. He was a tall, venerable man with a long white beard. He was dressed in white clothing which was edged with gold and marked…
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Finding of the relics of Saint Abibas
Saint Abibas was the twenty-year-old son of Saint Gamaliel, who died before his father. His relics were uncovered along with those of Saints Stephen, Gamaliel, and Νikόdēmos in 415. The relics of Saints Stephen, Gamaliel, Abibas, and Νikόdēmos were transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople…
Blessed Basil of Moscow the Fool-For-Christ
Saint Basil the Blessed, Wonderworker of Moscow, was born in December 1468 on the portico of the Elokhov church in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos outside Moscow. His parents were commoners and sent their son to be trained as a cobbler. During Basil’s apprenticeship,…
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Holy Fool Basil of Kamen
Venerable Basil of Kamen, a holy fool for the sake of Christ (2nd half of the XVII – 1st half of the XVIII century?), was a monk in the Savior–Kamen Monastery, located on an island in Lake Kuben (near Vologda). At the shrine of his relics, later placed in the church dedicated to Saint Basil of…
Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome, and those with him
The Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome, suffered in the year 257 during the reign of the emperor Valerian (253-259). Saint Stephen, occupying the throne (253-257) of the holy First Bishop of Rome, zealously contended against the heresy of Novatus, which taught that it is not proper to receive back…
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Saint Photeine of Cyprus, Wonderworker
It is not known just when Saint Photeini [Photeinḗ – known on Cyprus as Saint Photou (Phótou) the wonderworker] lived, nor is there any information about her early life. Tradition tells us that she was born in Rizokarpaso to simple, but pious parents. From a young age, Photou stood out from her…
✠ Reflection on Matthew 14:22-34
In this majestic scene, we behold Christ’s boundless power and compassion. As He walks upon the turbulent sea, He reveals His divine nature, yet stills their fears with words of gentle comfort, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." This tender rebuke reminds us that our Lord is ever near, even in the midst of life’s storms, and that we are called to trust in Him alone. Peter’s courageous response, as he steps out onto the waves, invites us to imitate his faith, trusting in Christ’s presence and provision for every situation.
▶ In Case You Missed It
Father reflected on the upcoming Nativity Fast, which begins this Saturday, August 1st, and encouraged everyone to prepare spiritually for this important period of spiritual growth and renewal. He also welcomed guests from St. Joseph Parish and introduced subdeacon Alex Dorff’s father, who helped translate holy texts into various languages for Alaskan people.
Father highlighted the importance of learning about our saints and their contributions to our faith community. He shared a fascinating story about Hieromonk Jacob (Necifetal), one of our local saints who was glorified in 1995 for his work as a translator of liturgical books for the Orthodox Church in America.
▶ Watch last Sunday’s sermon — Sermon — Divine Liturgy, July 26, 2026
ektenia — Ektenia refers to a specific form of prayer in Orthodox worship where a priest prays aloud on behalf of the congregation, often standing before the icon screen and facing east towards Jerusalem. This traditional practice is characterized by long, flowing phrases that express gratitude, confession, or supplication, frequently accompanied by bowing or prostrations by the praying individuals. Ektenia serves as a spiritual exercise in humility and concentration, uniting the faithful in collective prayer.
Bulletin Sponsor: August – Smith Family for the health of Nemo
