This Sunday we commemorate the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner, a pivotal event in the life of Christ and one that marks an important transition in the cycle of feasts. In Tone 3, we reflect on the saint’s bravery as he stood against King Herod’s tyranny, even to the point of shedding his blood for the Lord’s sake. His sacrifice serves as a powerful example of the ultimate commitment required by our faith, one that inspires us to re-evaluate our own priorities and choices.
This week’s Gospel reading (Matthew 22:35-46) presents Jesus’ teaching on the two great commandments, which are also foundational to Orthodox spirituality. As we prepare for the Elevation of the Cross, we meditate on the significance of this holy day, a celebration that affirms our veneration of Christ’s cross and its power to bring us salvation.
We gather on Saturday evening for Great Vespers at 5:00 pm, followed by Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. If you are unable to join us in person, the services will be streamed live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stnicholasjoliet) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@st.nicholasjoliet).
✦ About this Sunday
As we approach the great feast of the Elevation of the Cross, we are given a foretaste of its significance in this Sunday’s services. The Epistle reading reminds us that the light of Christ shines brightly within us, guiding us through the darkness of life, while the Gospel passage shows us how Jesus taught his followers to prioritize love and obedience to God above all else. As we prepare to venerate the sacred Cross on September 27th, may its power and beauty inspire us to deepen our devotion to our Lord and Savior.
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Today — September 13th, 2026
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Forefeast of the Elevation of the Cross
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Commemoration of the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulcher) at Jerusalem (335)
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Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion (†1st c.)
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Martyrs Chronides, Leontius and Serapion, of Alexandria (†237)
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Martyrs Macrobius and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (†4th c.)
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Hieromartyr Julian of Galatia (†4th c.)
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St. Peter of Atroë (†9th c.)
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Greatmartyr Ketevan, Queen of Georgia (†1624)
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Ven. Hierotheus the Younger of Ivḗron (Mt. Athos—1745)
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Services
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Week Ahead
Sat Sep 19 | Sun Sep 20 |
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5:00 pm Vespers | 9:40 am Third & Sixth Hours · Confession 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:40 am Fellowship Hour |
☩ Coming up in Orthodoxy
Mon, Sep 14
Repose of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
Tue, Sep 15
Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross
Wed, Sep 16
Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross
Thu, Sep 17
Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross
Fri, Sep 18
Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross
Sat, Sep 19
Saturday after Elevation
Sun, Sep 20
Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross
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Announcements
Raised to date: $11,800
Still needed: $26,200
Thanks to the generosity of seven parish households, we have raised 27.23% of the amount needed for our roof project. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has already contributed. We prayerfully ask every parish household to participate according to its ability. Every gift, large or small, will help preserve our church building for worship, fellowship, and future generations. Donations may be made as a single contribution or in installments and may also be offered in memory or in honor of a loved one.
and a pagan temple dedicated to Venus, along with a statue of Jupiter, to be erected on the site. In 326 AD,
St. Helen ordered the pagan temple to be demolished and excavations to begin. There, the True Cross was
discovered together with the crosses of the two thieves who had been crucified with Christ. To identify
which of the three crosses was the Cross of the Lord, Patriarch Makarios of Jerusalem touched each cross to
the body of a deceased man. When the Cross of Christ was placed upon the dead man, he was miraculously
restored to life. This miracle confirmed the discovery of the True Cross, which the Church continues to venerate as the instrument of our salvation.
Midwest. Your generosity will help defray the costs for our diocesan seminarians, many of whom relocate
their families to pursue theological studies. On September 20th, we will have a second collection. Just
specify which donation is for SOS. Please give generously. Thank you!
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Parish Celebrations
Birthdays & Namedays: Tatiana Terentiev (September 16) · Marlo Perry (September 13) · Toma Andreev (September 15th)
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Stewardship
$3,258.00
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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
✠ Reflection on Matthew 22:35-46
In this passage, Christ reveals to us the essence of His teaching: love is the foundation of our relationship with God and with others. By commanding us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, He shows that true devotion to Him requires nothing less than complete surrender of ourselves. In loving our neighbor as ourselves, we are not merely doing a good deed, but reflecting the very image of Christ Himself, who loves without condition or expectation of reward. As we strive to live out this commandment in our daily lives, may we be drawn deeper into His love and become vessels of His compassion and mercy.
▶ Watch last Sunday’s sermon — English, August 30, 2026
Did you know?
— The prosphora is a special bread prepared by Orthodox Christians for use in the Divine Liturgy, typically made from wheat flour that has been blessed and consecrated before being baked. It is usually leavened and imprinted with an icon or other sacred symbol, signifying its role as a spiritual offering to God. The prosphora is then cut into portions, one of which becomes the Lamb of God (Holy Eucharist) during the Liturgy, while others are distributed to the faithful as a blessed bread.
Bulletin Sponsor: September – Smith Family for the health of Joslyn