Holy Pascha — April 12th, 2026

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church  ·  Joliet, Illinois
Holy Pascha
April 12th, 2026  ·  119 Year, Issue 15

Acts 1:1-8 (Epistle)
 · 
John 1:1-17 (Gospel)
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Dear beloved in Christ,

As we stand at the threshold of the Great and Holy Feast, we find ourselves in the stillness and solemnity of Great and Holy Saturday — a day of sacred anticipation. The tomb is sealed, the earth is quiet, and yet all creation waits with hope for the triumph that is to come. Even in the depths of the grave, Christ is at work, despoiling Hades and preparing the way for life.

This Sunday, we joyfully celebrate Holy Pascha, a time of renewal and rebirth! As we mark the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded of His great love and sacrifice for us. In today’s readings from Acts and John, we see the importance of faith and obedience in our lives. May we, like the apostles, be filled with the Holy Spirit and bear witness to the Gospel message.

I warmly invite you to join us this evening as we gather to receive the light and proclaim the joyous news of Christ’s victory over death. Come and take part in the beauty and fullness of the Paschal services, that together we may enter into the radiant joy of the Resurrection.

Please find attached this week’s parish bulletin, which includes the schedule for tonight’s services and the days to come. Also included are the Archpastoral Messages of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel.

We also joyfully acknowledge two special members of our community: Antonina Llamas, who will celebrate her name day on April 14th, and Jacob Miller, whose name day falls on April 19th. May God grant them many happy and healthy years ahead!

May the Lord prepare our hearts to receive the light of His Resurrection with faith, peace, and great joy.

Christ is Risen! Христос Воскрес! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!
Христос Воскресе! ¡Cristo ha Resucitado!
Hristos a Înviat! Христос Възкреси! Cristo è Risorto!


Today — April 12th, 2026


The Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

St. Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium (8th c.)

Hieromartyr Zeno, Bishop of Verona (ca. 260)

Ven. Isaac the Syrian, Abbot of Spoleto (550)

Monastic Martyrs Menas, David, & John, of Palestine (7th c.)

Venerable Anthusa of Constantinople (801)

Ven. Athanasia, Abbess, of Aegina (860)

Ven. Acacius the Younger, of Kavsokalyvia (Mt. Athos, 1730)


Services

12:00 am
Paschal Procession, Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Paschal Baskets
3:00 am
Breaking the Fast of Orthodox Easter
12:00 pm
Paschal Vespers, Blessing of Paschal Baskets

Followed by Easter Egg Hunt


Week Ahead

Mon
Sat
Sun
10:00 am
Divine Liturgy Bright Monday
5:00 pm
Great Vespers
9:40 am
Third & Sixth Hours · Confession
10:00 am
Divine Liturgy
11:40 am
Fellowship Hour


Announcements

Many Thanks To:
• Matthew Parvin (icons for junior banners)
• Fitza Family (pussy willow branches)
• Dn. David & Matushka Kathy Hanneman (100 palm branches)
• Hadzhula Family (Paschal lilies)
• Izzy Llamas (audio-video system donation/setup)
• Matushka Olga (Artos baking)


Parish Celebrations

✦  Many Years!  ✦
Birthdays & Namedays: Antonina Llamas (April 14); Jacob Miller (April 19)
May God grant all our celebrants many happy and healthy years!


Stewardship

$4,902.00
Stewardship Corner
Sunday, April 5, 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:

Dn. David HannemanKathy HannemanMatushka Lilia LymarTom KompareNadia BilanykStevan LunichTatiana MazurVladimir ShiltsevAlla LavrynenkoLily NelsonMike BakerJose FelixAlice PistilliRoman FilipovElena PavlovNicholas JermihovGianni ZanelliStevasti BergstromToma AndreevFr. Borys Zabrodskij