Church Telephone: (781) 585-8907

Church Email: stmarkofephesuskingstonma@gmail.com

Donations: PayPal or Credit Card

Administrator and Dean: Archpriest Vasily Lickwar 

Parish Council President & Church Warden: Catherine Condrick

Treasurer & Pledge Monitor: Daniel Bacon

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM | Third Hour, 9:30 AM | Vespers 5:00 PM on the first Saturday of every month (unless otherwise noted)

St. Mark of Ephesus is blessed with a small, but actively participating congregation. We are a warm, family-oriented body of faithful believers and our members are of all age groups and we embrace many cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The parish conducts a regular and traditional cycle of Orthodox liturgical worship throughout the course of the year. The St. Mark parish participates regularly in several community charitable ministries such as on-going charities to aid local shelters, grocery collections for our on-going food pantry, and visiting the ill and shut-ins in our community. All these inititatives are supported by the free-will offerings and volunteer assistance of the parishioners. 

Encouragement for the week from The Scent of Holiness: Lessons from a Women's Monastery by Constantina Palmer

The first time I met the abbess, she was sitting outside the kitchen cutting up broccoli. I was intimidated by her, because she was an abbess, because of the language barrier, and even because she was so tall for a Greek. I bowed and touched the ground, she held out her right hand and I kissed it - this is the customary way of taking a blessing, not only from an abbess, but from a priest or bishop as well. She gestured for me to sit down and in her soft voice asked me about where I was from, how long I was going to be in Greece, et cetera. Fortunately, there was a nun who spoke English working nearby, and she helped interpret. 

"Gerontissa" is the title used by monastics and laypeople to address an abess. It literally means "old woman," but strictly speaking it is reserved for holy women who possess the gift of spiritual direction. The abbess's monastic name is Philaret, which means "lover of virtue," and she was worthy of both names. While we were speaking, Sr. Epomoni (which means "patience") carried in some packages from the mail to open in front of the abbess. The packages were filled with black jackets. Sr. Epomoni took them out to see how they fit. They looked a little small. She tried on the largest size, and still the sleeves ended about two or three inches above her wrists. More nuns came out of different rooms, and noticing the jackets, came over to see them. One of the smallest nuns tried one on, and it barely fit. Giggling ensued. Sr. Epomoni looked at me smiling. "We ordered these from America and they sent the wrong sizes." 

Instead of being frustrated or even slightly annoyed, the nuns found an opportunity to smile and laugh at the incovenience of having thirty or more jackets that did not fit them. "We'll just have to send them back," Sr. Epomoni said. Lesson number one was completed. No one complained, no one groaned, no one got angry or blamed anyone. They just laughed a lot and then shrugged, as if to say. "Oh well," and as quickly as they came out to see what had come in the mail, they were back to work. 

Icon: Archangel Selaphiel

Weekly Liturgical Calender 

Monday, January 24: Venerable Xenia of Rome, Martyr Babylas of Sicily, Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg 

Tuesday, January 25: St. Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople, St. Mares the Singer of Syria, New Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and Galich

Wednesday, January 26: Venerable Xenophon, Mary, Arcadius & John, Right Beloved David of Georgia

Thursday, January 27: Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom

Friday, January 28: Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, St. Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh

Saturday, January 29: Translation of teh Relics of Hieromartyr Ignatius the Godbearer, Bishop of Antioch

Sunday, January 30: Synaxis of the three great Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM, Third Hour at 9:30 AM, Fr. John, Celebrant; Memorial Service for those remembered in January, Church School with Subdeacon Peter Condrick

For today's scripture readings, please click on the following link: https://www.oca.org/readings

Remember in prayer: ill & shut-in, Paul, Simon, Alban Frank, Robert, Matushka Eleanor, Priest Antony, Reader George, Alexandra, Conor, Peter; Catechumens: Judith, Ryan, Rebecca, Ari, Selah, Matthew; the kidnapped Hierarchs Metropolitan Paul (Boulos Yazigi) & Archpriest John (Yohanna Ibrahim); the suffering Christians of Egypt and Syria; deployed Archpriest James and Travis; 

Icon: St. Gregory the Theologian

Parish Announcements

We are in great need of church cleaners for the months of: January, February, March, May, June and December. We must all contribute to the upkeep of our parish. If you would like to be a church cleaner, please speak with Catherine.

Church Needs and Volunteer lists are posted on the bulletin board in the bookstore. Please take a moment after services to review the lists and sign up to help.

Our monthly memorial service for those remembered in January will take place on Sunday, January 30. Please submit your names to Catherine.

This is a reminder to all to use your lavender-colored offering envelopes every Sunday; this helps the treasurer to keep track of your pledges for the year. If you need a box of pledge envelopes, please speak with the church warden. Making regular sacrificial monetary offerings for Church support is a part of our church membership.

Pledge cards were mailed to your homes. Once you have filled out your pledge card, please give it to Dan as soon as possible. 

Choir Practice will be on Wednesday 2/16 and 3/2 at 6:00 PM. The practice on 3/2 will focus on Pre-sanctified Liturgy in preparation for the Lenten season. All are welcome to attend practices. If you have any questions, please speak with Jen.

Church School classses with Subdeacon Peter will begin on Sunday, January 30 after the Prayers of Thanksgiving are read. It is important to bring your children to church every Sunday so that they may have the opportunity to learn more about their Orthodox Faith, develop a lifelong love of Christ and His Church and to make lasting friendships in church school.

Great Vespers with Confession will take place on Saturday, February 5 at 5:00 PM. (Great Vespers with Confession will be held on the 1st Saturday of every month unless otherwise noted).

Catechumen classes will take place on February 5 and February 19 at 5:00 PM. More dates will be forthcoming. Please speak with Fr. Kevin or Subdeacon Peter if you have any questions about the classes.

The Plymouth Area Coalition needs twin sheets, twin comforters, bed pillows and towels (all items must be purchased new - used items are not acceptable). We will be collecting these items through to Pascha. You may either place your donations in the church office on Sundays or bring your donation to the coalition (make sure you state that your donation is on behalf of St. Mark of Ephesus Church). If you bring your donation to the Coalition, please send an email to Catherine so that she may keep track of the donations. The address is: 149 Bishops Highway in Kingston. We hope each of you will find it in your heart to support this worthy cause to help families in need. Thank you for helping.

We are collecting items for distribution to those in need via a local food pantry. Please leave the items you wish to donate in the large blue bin located in the nave of the church. It is important that we continue to care for those in need during these difficult times. 

The Parish Council will meet on Thursday, February 10 at 6:00 PM via Zoom.

Upcoming for May of 2022

The St. Mark of Ephesus Book Club will begin to hold meetings again this Lenten Season in March. All are welcome to join! More information will be forthcoming as spring approaches.

Icon: Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg