Join us as we read through seventy-nine books of the Orthodox Study Bible in one year. It's never too late to pick up with us as we journey from Genesis to Revelation! Email or text Lowen Howard (lowen.howard@gmail.com / 410-989-3220) if you would like to be added to the online men's book club Slack group.
The men's book club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. Locations are subject to change.
On January 5th, the faithful of St. Thekla's celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil for the feast of Theophany (January 6). In addition, we celebrated St. Basil's Day (January 1) by blessing and partaking in St. Basil's bread (Vasilopita).
During his homily Deacon George shared information on the significance of St. Basil's bread.
"As we know, Jan. 1st is significant for several reasons, Christ’s circumcision, the civil New Year, and the feast day of St. Basil. On his feast day, a tradition began centuries ago to acknowledge his defense of the faith, love for his flock and his charity. A special bread or “pita" is baked on January 1, to honor of our Holy Father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia - hence Vasilopita.
One year, during a time of terrible famine, the emperor levied an excessive tax upon the people. TFAiling to pay would certainly put one in prison. The families had to relinquish their few remaining coins as well as pieces of jewelry, including precious family heirlooms. Learning of this injustice against his flock, St Basil the Great, armed with the gospels went to the emperor seeking his repentance. By God's grace, the emperor repented! He canceled the tax and instructed his tax collectors to turn over to St Basil all of the chests containing the coins and jewelry which had been paid for taxes by the people of Caesarea.
But now St Basil was faced with the daunting and impossible task of returning these coins and pieces of jewelry to their rightful owners. After praying for a long time before the icons of Christ and His All-holy Mother, St Basil had all the treasures baked into one huge "pita." He then called all the townspeople to prayer at the cathedral and, after Divine Liturgy, he blessed and cut the "pita," giving a piece to each person. Wondrously each owner received in his piece of Vasilopita his own valuables. They all joyfully gave thanks to God who had delivered them from abject poverty, and to their good and holy bishop, St Basil the Great.
We observe the tradition of the Vasilopita each year on January 1st - the date on which St Basil reposed in the Lord in the year 379".
adapted from AOCNA
On Sunday, October 27th, the parishioners of St. Thekla's came together for a farewell luncheon for George Cody. George was instrumental in the creation and development of our church and will always be regarded as our "godfather". He began by running an ad in the local paper to see if there was interest in establishing an Orthodox presence on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. His dedication and work enabled us to move from monthly meetings to semi-montly Liturgies, and finally to our current calendar of regular Sunday Liturgies. He served as a reader during Liturgy and was an invaluable mamber of the Parish Council, serving as Treasurer and as a member of St. Thekla's Financial Committee.
George is relocating to Connecticut where he will be close to his family (especially his grandson who is the apple of his eye). We will certainly miss him, but wish him all the best in his new home. May God grant him many years of health and happiness!
Prior to Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 8th, Denise Howard and Jason Wise were received into the Orthodox Church. The service was conducted by Fr. John Monto and Dn. George Kaloroumakis and was attended by many family members, friends, and parishioners of St. Thekla's.