In the rich tradition of our holy Orthodox Church, we know that the commemoration of the living and reposed faithful of the Church at the Prothesis before a Divine Liturgy is both powerfully beneficial for those remembered and pleasing to God. During the forty day fast preceding our Lord’s Nativity, there is a liturgical tradition of celebrating forty Liturgies in a row, starting on November 15th and ending with the Feast of Christmas, our Lord’s Nativity. The teaching of our Church has shown us through the experience of the Saints and faithful over centuries that this Forty Liturgy series not only spiritually helps a parish community, but it also benefits those commemorated at the Proskomide.
This year, as we have the last three year, we will be celebrating the “Serantoliturgo” or Forty Liturgies at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. Beginning on Tuesday, November 15th, the first day of the Nativity Fast, we will offer the Pre-Communion Prayers at 5:30 a.m. and at about 5:50 a.m. we will begin the Liturgy. Every Monday through Friday, except when a Liturgy is offered for Agia Sophia Academy, we will follow this schedule. This early schedule will help accommodate people’s work schedules. On Saturdays and holidays we will start Precommunion Prayers at 8:00 a.m. Please refer to the November calendar to see the schedule for ASA liturgies and the Thanksgiving holidays. Sunday services will follow our normal schedule.
For more information, visit the parish website.
