Beginning on March 18, 2024 Lenten services were held all week at Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church. From Monday - Thursday, the clergy and parishioners gathered to take part in Great Compline with the reading of the four parts of the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete and on Friday night, the first Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts was served. After Saturday Vespers and Sunday Liturgy for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Great lent, the clergy and the Sunday School students and teachers took part in a procession around the inside and part of the outside of the church building. The Sunday School children carried icons of their patronal saints. During the procession, the litany from the "rite of Orthodoxy" was intoned and concluded with a prayer of health for all Orthodox Christians. The service concluded with a sermon from the rector, Father Mark Rashkov, during which we underscored the importance of the role of icons in the Orthodox faith. 

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, after Divine Liturgy and Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness, the parish of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist hosted a Maslenitsa celebration. Parishioners and guests were welcomed with traditional slavic decorations, music, and fresh homemade blini. The event began with a vocal performance by Vasiliy Nasiuta accompanied by Zinaida Rashkova. Music was performed by the Irina Zagornava and the children's musical dance ensemble "Zolotoy Petushok". Additional activities and games were organized by Marina Ivannikova. The afternoon was filled with fun and joy, cultural actives, dancing, and fellowship. Saint John Parish sincerely thanks everyone who organized, participated, and took part in this joyous occasion.
​Photo credit: @AlexanderSun75

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church gathered for a baptismal liturgy at which the child Nicholas Pandrof was baptized, chrismated, tonsured, churched, and given holy communion. At the conclusion of the service, the parish congratulated the family and relatives present. In addition, many years was sung for Justine LaMonica and Alexander Girard who celebrated their birthdays that past week.