Saint Andrew's Orthodox Church

The Transfiguration of Christ

This week, we will celebrate the Great Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ upon Mount Tabor. The feast is August 6; we will serve a Vesperal Liturgy on Wednesday evening, August 5, at 7:00 PM, followed by the traditional blessing of fruit.

The blessing of fruit is a pious custom which finds its roots in the desire of the faithful to bless the first-fruits of the harvest, which become ready around the time of the feast. There is a poetic connection between the harvest and the Feast, as we see the tilled earth transfigured in the beauty of the fruit which comes forth from it, just as we see the beautiful fruit of our spiritual labors emerge in our lives. Below is an article written by Fr. John about the feast, from a past edition of The Cupola.

Recent sermons:

Fr. John’s sermon on Sunday August 2, 2026

The 250th Anniversary of the United States of America

Issued at the 2026 Spring Session of the Holy Synod of Bishops April 30, 2026

To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THIS LAND

As the United States of America marks the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its founding, we, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, raise our hearts and voices in gratitude to God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, Who in His inscrutable providence has planted His Holy Church in this land and caused her to take root, grow, and flourish.

Memory eternal: +Barbara Drillock

With sadness but with hope in the Resurrection, we share the news that +Barbara Drillock fell asleep in the Lord this morning, June 9, 2026. Barbara is the wife of Reader David, and many of us have come to know them as last year they relocated to a new home near St. Andrew’s, and have been attending services and singing in the choir at our parish. Shortly after Pascha, Barbara’s illnesses increased and she began hospice care. Fr. John was able to visit her on Sunday evening to pray with her and anoint her with Holy Unction.

Holy Pentecost: The Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit

Blessed art Thou O Christ our God, who hast revealed the fisherman as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit! Through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net! O Lover of man, glory to Thee!

–Troparion of the feast