On April 26, 2026, the Sunday School children of the Parish of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist participated in a special craft activity dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women. As the Church commemorates these faithful women—who were the first to discover the empty tomb and receive the joyous news of Christ’s Resurrection—the children learned about their courage, devotion, and love for the Lord.
As part of the activity, the children braided colorful yarn and decorated their creations with aromatic spices and fragrances, recalling the myrrh and sweet-smelling ointments that the Myrrh-bearing Women carried to the tomb of Christ on the first Paschal morning. Through this hands-on project, the children were able to reflect on the faithfulness of these holy women and the profound significance of their witness to the Resurrection, while joyfully celebrating the Paschal season together.

On April 18, 2026, Bright Saturday, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Little Falls, New Jersey, continued their joyous celebration of the Feast of Feasts and Holy Day of Holy Days—the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Concelebrating with the clergy was Hieromonk Seraphim (Balagdas) of Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral in Passaic. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the in the radiant joy of the Paschal season, as the faithful gathered to give thanks to God for the victory of Christ over sin, death, and Hades. Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive Paschal procession took place around the church, with the clergy and parishioners proclaiming the triumphant hymn of the Resurrection: “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”
Upon returning to the church, the traditional prayers for the breaking and distribution of the Artos were offered. The Artos, a specially blessed loaf that remains before the faithful throughout Bright Week as a symbol of the Risen Christ abiding with His Church, was then distributed to the parishioners as a blessing and a reminder of the Lord’s abiding presence among His people.

Paschal celebrations at Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church began at 11:00 PM on Holy Saturday with the service of Paschal Nocturnes. Following the return of the Shroud of Christ to the altar, the faithful gathered shortly before midnight for the traditional Paschal procession around the church. Upon returning to the temple, Paschal Matins was served, culminating with the reading of the Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom.
As is customary on the Feast of Feasts, during the Divine Liturgy the Gospel was proclaimed in various languages as a witness to the universal message of Christ’s Resurrection. This year, the Gospel was read in English, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, and Tajik.
On Sunday morning, Father Mark served a Paschal Typica Service with Holy Communion for those unable to attend the nighttime services, followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children. 

On Great and Holy Saturday, the faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church gathered in prayer for the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. This beautiful service marks the transition from the sorrow of Christ’s burial to the radiant anticipation of His Resurrection. During the readings from the Old Testament, the Church reflects upon God’s saving acts throughout history, while the changing of the dark vestments and coverings to bright Paschal colors proclaims Christ’s victory over death and His descent into Hell to free those held captive therein.
Later in the day, parishioners brought their traditional Paschal baskets to the church education building to receive a blessing in preparation for the Feast of Feasts. Filled with foods that had been set aside during the Lenten fast, the baskets served as a joyful reminder of the approaching celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. As families gathered around their baskets and received the blessing, the parish community eagerly awaited the midnight proclamation of the Paschal Gospel and the triumphant cry: “Christ is Risen!” “Indeed He is Risen!”

On Great and Holy Friday, the faithful gathered to commemorate the saving Passion and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the Vespers of Holy Friday, the Holy Shroud (Plashchanitsa), depicting Christ laid in the tomb, was solemnly carried from the altar and placed in the center of the church for veneration. As hymns recalling the Lord’s sacrifice were sung, the faithful approached with reverence, offering prayers before the image of Christ.
That evening, the parish continued continued their prayers once again during the Matins of Holy Saturday, one of the most moving services of the Church year. Standing before the Holy Shroud, the clergy and faithful chanted the Lamentations, meditating upon Christ’s burial while proclaiming the hope of His imminent Resurrection. The service beautifully intertwines sorrow and anticipation, as the Church keeps watch at the tomb of the Savior.
At the conclusion of Matins, the Holy Shroud was carried in solemn procession around the church, symbolizing the burial of Christ and His descent into the tomb. Upon returning to the church, the faithful passed beneath the Holy Shroud as an expression of their desire to die and rise with Christ, entering once more into the church with hearts filled with both reverence for His sacrifice and hope in the coming victory of Pascha.

On April 9, 2026, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates Holy Thursday. Services that day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, commemorating the Mystical Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ with His disciples.  In the evening, the clergy and faithful gathered for Holy Friday Matins, commonly known as the Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels. Through the solemn reading of the Gospel accounts, the Church accompanied Christ on His voluntary journey to the Cross, reflecting upon His betrayal, suffering, trial, crucifixion, and death for the salvation of the world. Holding lighted candles, the faithful listened attentively as the events of the Lord’s Passion unfolded, preparing their hearts for the solemn services of Great and Holy Friday.

On Holy Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John's Church gathered for the sacrament of Holy Unction. The rector of the Elevation of the Holy Cross Church in Hackettstown, NJ, Priest Andrew Massey concelebrated with Father Mark. 

On Lazarus Saturday, the clergy and faithful of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church gathered to celebrate the feast and took part in a parish clean-up day in preparation for the upcoming feasts and Holy Pascha. Palm and willow branches were also readied in anticipation of Palm Sunday.
That evening, the parish marked the beginning of the Palm Sunday celebration with Great Vespers and Litiya, during which the palms and willows were blessed.
The following morning, as the church bells rang, Sunday School children, along with their teachers, volunteers, parents, clergy, and altar servers, participated in a festal procession from the parish education building to the church, accompanied by the choir’s festal hymns. Upon entering the church, the Divine Liturgy for Palm Sunday commenced.
After the Communion of the faithful, the prayer for the blessing of palms and willows was read again for those who had not received the blessing the previous evening. The day concluded with fellowship in the parish hall, followed by Sunday School craft activities for the children.