Holy Ghost Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
210 Maplewood Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003
Monthly Calendar (click View Month button to see calendar)

Schedule of Services
Sunday
9:30am - Divine Liturgy
  
Saturday
4:00pm - Confession
4:30pm - Vespers
  
Eve of Feast
6:30pm - Great Vespers
  
Feast
9:30am - Divine Liturgy
  




Liturgical Calendar for 2023

 

 

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Lent (Forgiveness Sunday)

February 26

March 17

March 2

February 22

March 14

PASCHA

April 16

May 5

April 20

April 12

May 2

Ascension

May 25

June 13

May 29

May 21

June 10

Pentecost

June 4

June 23

June 8

May 31

June 20

Easter (Western Denominations)

April 9

March 31

April 20

April 5

March 28

 

2023 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING DISCIPLINE

Fasting Seasons

Holy Lent thru Great Saturday

February 20 - April 15

 

SS. Peter and Paul Fast (Apostles Fast)

June 12 - 28

 

Dormition Fast

August 1 - 14

 

Nativity Fast (Advent)

November 15 - December 24

Fast-Free Weeks

Post-Feast: Nativity of Christ

December 26 - January 4

 

Week following the Publican and Pharisee

February 5 - 11

 

Bright Week (following PASCHA)

April 16 - 22

 

Trinity Week (following Pentecost)

June 4 - 10

Days of Fasting

All Wednesdays and Fridays except where noted above as “fast-free”.

 

 

Eve of Theophany (Strict Fast)

January 5

 

Beheading of St. John (Strict Fast)

August 29

 

Elevation of the Cross (Strict Fast)

September 14

 

Eve of the Nativity of Christ (Strict Fast)

December 24

 

2023 MEMORIAL LITURGIES FOR THE DEPARTED

 

Saturday in the week of Meatfare

February 18

 

Second and Fourth Lenten Saturdays
(Liturgy on 3rd Saturday is omitted due to Annunciation)

March 11, 18

 

Saturday before Pentecost

June 3

 

Saturday before St. Demetrius

October 21

 

2023 DATES WHEN WEDDINGS ARE NOT TO BE CELEBRATED

(Unless a dispensation is granted by the ruling bishop upon the request of the parish priest)

  • On the eves of Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (i.e. Tuesday and Thursday evenings)

  • On the eves of Sunday throughout the year (i.e. Saturday evenings)

  • On the eve of Holydays commemorated in the parish

  • In all the fasting seasons noted above

  • From the Nativity of Christ through the Second Day of Theophany

  • During the Week of Cheesefare

  • During Bright Week

  • On the Eve and Holyday of “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist”

  • On the Eve and Holyday of “The Elevation of the Precious Cross”

Note! The SCHEDULING OF THE WEDDING SACRAMENT should be finalized with the parish priest before any other nuptial planning is done! Remember that wedding ceremonies performed outside the Orthodox Faith are not recognized as valid Orthodox Sacramental unions. Suspension from the Holy Sacraments (as well as loss of other parish membership privileges) is automatic in such instances until “normalized” as per private instruction from the parish priest.

 

  • While the guidelines for Orthodox Christians fasting (as well as participation in the Holy Sacraments) should be taken seriously, they are not to be interpreted with “dour and pedantic legalism.” It is the prerogative of the ruling bishop to grant dispensations concerning these guidelines if so recommended by his representative, the parish priest.

  • Individuals under the care of a physician need to discuss their fasting regimen with the parish priest, who, as your spiritual father, will give guidance to mitigate the fasting regimen as necessary.

  • Any parish member or parish organization using any of the parish’s facilities must follow the fasting guidelines as outlined above when serving food or beverages.

 

~ Please contact Fr. Bill if you have any questions. ~