CALENDAR & NEWS
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...
Hebrews 10:25 · Good News Translation
October 2026 at HTOC
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever! Join our church family this month for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Click these links to download printer-friendly PDF files: HTOC Monthly Newsletter · HTOC Weekly Update
Click this link to sign up for our monthly and weekly emails: HTOC E-News
Champions and Cheerleaders
The Church kicks off this month by celebrating the Protection of the Virgin Mary (October 1). It marks a miraculous sighting of Mary praying with other saints in church amid the citizens of ninth-century Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) while that ancient imperial capital was under enemy attack.
This holy day reminds us Christians on earth that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) — the saints who went before us and now are “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). They’re our fellow members of the Church, the Body of Christ, because “alive or dead, we still belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8).
Mary and all the saints are part of our lives, then. Dead to the world but “alive to God” (Luke 20:38), their example and prayers cheer us on as we “run with determination the race that lies ahead of us” (Hebrews 12:2) in the footsteps of Christ Jesus.
Mark Your Calendar!
Thursday, October 1
Protection of the Virgin Mary
Sunday, October 4 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday Observance of Protection of Mary
Sunday, October 11 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Sunday, October 18 • 9:30 a.m.
Typica: Reader’s Service
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, October 25 • 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
Milestones
“Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). Best wishes to our kinfolk in Christ celebrating special milestones this month! Anniversaries: Harold and Diane Orloff (October 22). Birthdays: Annmarie Andrejkanic (October 20). God grant you many years!
News and Notes
Sobor: Diocesan Council XXVI: Our diocese will hold its 26th sobor (Church Slavic for “council”) October 18-21, 2026 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Ever since the first-century Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-29), the Church has met in councils to discern God’s will, order its life, strategize its mission, and settle disagreements — and it still does today! Please pray for safe travel and divine inspiration for all who will attend our diocese’s sobor this month to take stock of its life and plan for its future in Christ.
Pray for Our Seminarians: Our diocese’s Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania started its 2026-2027 academic year on Monday, September 14, 2026 (the feast of the Elevation of the Cross). Please pray for our seminarians — Nicholas Cizin, Ignatius Dixon, John Fedornock III, David Miazga, Spyridon Raburn, Gabriel Saldana, Deacon Bradley Shaffer, and Clay Wood — that they may grow in truth and grace to serve God and his Church faithfully and fruitfully. To learn more online about our seminary, click here: Christ the Saviour Seminary.
IOCC Urgent Appeal for Ukrainian War Refugees in Poland: Four-plus years of still ongoing war in Ukraine has landed over one million refugees — many of them children, women, and elderly folk — in neighboring Poland. There, International Orthodox Christian Charities is teaming up with the Polish Orthodox Church to help these innocent victims in dire need with emergency financial aid, safe shelter, daycare services, vocational training, Polish language classes, and more to stabilize their lives in exile. To learn more and help with a tax-deductible donation, go online to IOCC Ukrainian Refugees in Poland.
Pitch In!
Church doesn’t happen on its own. It happens when all of us pool our time, talent, and treasure together and put them at God’s disposal to do his will as followers of Jesus. In a word, that’s stewardship. Want to lend a helping hand? See our parish priest, Father Alexis Woytek, to find out what needs doing. Want to become a supporting member? See our parish treasurer, Mrs. Lydia Pinkowski, to find out how. Thanks for pitching in to make your church happen!
Reach Out!
The Church doesn’t exist for itself. God calls it to reach out and share his love with the world that it lives in. Our parish charity bin is one way that we do such outreach, by collecting nonperishable food that our friends at People Helping People in Hernando County share with locals in need. To download a grocery list from our website, click here. Thanks for reaching out and helping others through your church’s charity!
Safe and Sound
COVID is no longer a global pandemic, but coronavirus still crops up now and then, here and there. Please keep alert and take sensible precautions while our church remains open.
If you feel ill, please stay home, follow doctor’s orders, and take good care of yourself. Let us know if you want us to pray for you. We look forward to seeing you again once you get well!
Please respect personal space and give each other courteous leeway, and please feel free to wear a face mask if your health requires it or you just feel safer doing so.
Thanks for your consideration, which is simply part of doing what Christ Jesus told us to do: “Love others as much as you love yourself” (Mark 12:31).