Newsletter of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church
1000 Spruce, Pueblo, CO 81004 PO Box 3011, Pueblo, CO 81005
May God keep everyone well and keep St. John the Baptist Church alive and vibrant for future generations to embrace and enjoy.
Schedule of service february 2026
All Sundays: 8:20 Orthros, 9:30 Divine Liturgy
2/1 –Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee (Triodion Begins)
MON 2/2 –- PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE
8:00 Orthros, 9:00 Divine Liturgy
SAT 2/7 – GREAT VESPERS at Brendan Pardue’s House in Canon City
5:00 p.m. Food and drinks provided.
2/8 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son
SAT 2/14 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
2/15 – Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
SAT 2/21– SATURDAY OF THE SOULS - Orthros at 8:00 & Liturgy at 9:00
Special Memorial Service for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
2/22 – Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday)
GREAT LENT BEGINS
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR GREAT LENT 2026
SUN 2/22 – FORGIVENESS SUNDAY - Orthros at 8:20 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30
WED 2/25 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 2/27 – SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/1 –SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY - Orthros at 8:20 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30
WED 3/4 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/6 – SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
2/1 –Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee (Triodion Begins)
- Romans 8:28-39
- Luke 18:10-14
MON 2/2 –- PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE
8:00 Orthros, 9:00 Divine Liturgy
- Hebrews 7:7-17
- Luke 2:22-40
SAT 2/7 – GREAT VESPERS at Brendan Pardue’s House in Canon City
5:00 p.m. Food and drinks provided.
2/8 – Sunday of the Prodigal Son
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
- Luke 15:11-32
SAT 2/14 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
2/15 – Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2
- Matthew 25:31-46
SAT 2/21– SATURDAY OF THE SOULS - Orthros at 8:00 & Liturgy at 9:00
Special Memorial Service for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
2/22 – Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday)
- Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
- Matthew 6:14-21
GREAT LENT BEGINS
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR GREAT LENT 2026
SUN 2/22 – FORGIVENESS SUNDAY - Orthros at 8:20 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30
WED 2/25 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 2/27 – SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
SUN 3/1 –SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY - Orthros at 8:20 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30
WED 3/4 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 9th Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. (Liturgy following)
FRI 3/6 – SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS – 6:00 p.m.
Prosforo
(Extra loaves needed for Presanctified prep)
Sunday 2/5 – Kathleen, Ryan
Saturday 2/21 – Pam
Sunday 2/22 – Fran, Elizabeth, Thalia
Sunday 3/1 – Pres Ashley, Brian, Chad
(Extra loaves needed for Presanctified prep)
Sunday 2/5 – Kathleen, Ryan
Saturday 2/21 – Pam
Sunday 2/22 – Fran, Elizabeth, Thalia
Sunday 3/1 – Pres Ashley, Brian, Chad
Church News
For Salutations To The Theotokos, we will be using the small red books that we used last year. They will be on the counter for you to use and then put back at the evening’s end. You will not need your black Holy Week Books for these services.
If you need or want a Holy Week Book, check with Pam or Marge at the counter. It helps to follow and understand the week’s services. They are still $20 each.
The ceiling of the church is finished and looks great. The stars have been added and really are the finishing touch.
If you need or want a Holy Week Book, check with Pam or Marge at the counter. It helps to follow and understand the week’s services. They are still $20 each.
The ceiling of the church is finished and looks great. The stars have been added and really are the finishing touch.
Eight Pointed star
The original color of the ceiling of St. John’s in 1907 was a
darker blue with gold stars added to the area. The ceiling has
been painted 2 or 3 times since that time, the last time in 2004
in celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. John, in 2005.
Evidence of the original stars from 1907 is located behind the
large framed Epitaphio cloth in the balcony.
In Christianity the 8-pointed star is known as the Star of
Bethlehem. In the Bible the number 7 is considered completion as
God created the world in 7 days. So the 8th day and number 8
signifies a new beginning, regeneration and resurrection.
Icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary depict an 8-pointed star, the
significance of which is important in Orthodoxy. This is
understandable only by the fact that the star is located on the
shoulder and head of the Virgin.
The Hellenic Orthodox Community Association Board
Members wanted to remember, honor, and thank our
Founders, by restoring their original work in our church.
darker blue with gold stars added to the area. The ceiling has
been painted 2 or 3 times since that time, the last time in 2004
in celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. John, in 2005.
Evidence of the original stars from 1907 is located behind the
large framed Epitaphio cloth in the balcony.
In Christianity the 8-pointed star is known as the Star of
Bethlehem. In the Bible the number 7 is considered completion as
God created the world in 7 days. So the 8th day and number 8
signifies a new beginning, regeneration and resurrection.
Icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary depict an 8-pointed star, the
significance of which is important in Orthodoxy. This is
understandable only by the fact that the star is located on the
shoulder and head of the Virgin.
The Hellenic Orthodox Community Association Board
Members wanted to remember, honor, and thank our
Founders, by restoring their original work in our church.
In a recent interview with Viche, a Ukraine-based media platform focused on Orthodox dialogue, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America discussed the ongoing invasion of Russia to Ukraine and its impact on Orthodox unity, as nearly 2 million casualties, missing, or injured are now counted between the two countries.
Archbishop Elpidophoros reminded listeners of what Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew repeatedly stated: the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church has become an instrument “to promote the secular, military, political, and financial interests of the Russian state.”
“This is a very dangerous path,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “The Russian people are faithful people. They don’t deserve such a church leadership. They deserve a Church which is faithful and following the teachings of the Gospel, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the traditions of the Orthodox Church.”
In reference to recent hostile statements made earlier this month by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), His Eminence highlighted the well-known history of the Russian government using Orthodoxy as a tool of the state, as well as the Moscow Patriarchate’s history of leveraging political pressure on Orthodox Ukrainians.
“For those of us who really are familiar with Orthodoxy in Russia, we were not surprised by the recent statement of the Russian government against the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “The church has always been a tool of the state. Even from the times of the Tsars.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On Jan. 8, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate published the following letter from Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander:
“In keeping with our indefatigable commitment to defend religious freedom worldwide, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) deplore the escalating campaign in the People’s Republic of China to destroy religious organizations that are outside the state’s control, and call upon the Chinese government to allow its people to exercise the sacred right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without fear of punishment from the state.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, January 8, 2026 that Chinese officials are “widening a crackdown on Christian groups, this week detaining church leaders in southwestern China.” This is part of a larger campaign to ensure that the only religious organizations that are operating in the entirety of the People’s Republic are approved by the state and under its active surveillance; all others are to be crushed.
Accordingly, the Journal noted that “the roundup of preachers and congregants of Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent unsanctioned Protestant group in Sichuan province, shows that China has been undeterred in pursuing its campaign despite calls by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Beijing to allow its people to worship without fear of retribution.”
Bob Fu of ChinaAid, a religious freedom advocacy organization, explained: “The goal is to stamp out all Christianity if you don’t totally surrender to the extreme Sinicization effort, which means surrendering your doctrine, from teaching to your church structure. It’s indoctrination of the [party’s] ideology into their faith.”
There are about 15,000 Chinese citizens who are Orthodox Christians, as well as many Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians inside the country. This crackdown ultimately affects them as well as believers from other faith traditions, for the Orthodox Church cannot and will not ever surrender its doctrine and allow non-Christian authorities to alter it.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has emphasized the “inherent rights of all human beings and their aspiration and rights of religious freedom should be important components to sustain tolerance among all God’s creation.” The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate stand with His All-Holiness and urge the government of the People’s Republic of China to respect this fundamental right. We further respectfully request that the United Nations take due note of the plight of these Christians within the People’s Republic of China, and take effective steps to protect them.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros reminded listeners of what Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew repeatedly stated: the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church has become an instrument “to promote the secular, military, political, and financial interests of the Russian state.”
“This is a very dangerous path,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “The Russian people are faithful people. They don’t deserve such a church leadership. They deserve a Church which is faithful and following the teachings of the Gospel, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the traditions of the Orthodox Church.”
In reference to recent hostile statements made earlier this month by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), His Eminence highlighted the well-known history of the Russian government using Orthodoxy as a tool of the state, as well as the Moscow Patriarchate’s history of leveraging political pressure on Orthodox Ukrainians.
“For those of us who really are familiar with Orthodoxy in Russia, we were not surprised by the recent statement of the Russian government against the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “The church has always been a tool of the state. Even from the times of the Tsars.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On Jan. 8, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate published the following letter from Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, Archon Grand Aktouarios and National Commander:
“In keeping with our indefatigable commitment to defend religious freedom worldwide, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) deplore the escalating campaign in the People’s Republic of China to destroy religious organizations that are outside the state’s control, and call upon the Chinese government to allow its people to exercise the sacred right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without fear of punishment from the state.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, January 8, 2026 that Chinese officials are “widening a crackdown on Christian groups, this week detaining church leaders in southwestern China.” This is part of a larger campaign to ensure that the only religious organizations that are operating in the entirety of the People’s Republic are approved by the state and under its active surveillance; all others are to be crushed.
Accordingly, the Journal noted that “the roundup of preachers and congregants of Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent unsanctioned Protestant group in Sichuan province, shows that China has been undeterred in pursuing its campaign despite calls by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Beijing to allow its people to worship without fear of retribution.”
Bob Fu of ChinaAid, a religious freedom advocacy organization, explained: “The goal is to stamp out all Christianity if you don’t totally surrender to the extreme Sinicization effort, which means surrendering your doctrine, from teaching to your church structure. It’s indoctrination of the [party’s] ideology into their faith.”
There are about 15,000 Chinese citizens who are Orthodox Christians, as well as many Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians inside the country. This crackdown ultimately affects them as well as believers from other faith traditions, for the Orthodox Church cannot and will not ever surrender its doctrine and allow non-Christian authorities to alter it.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has emphasized the “inherent rights of all human beings and their aspiration and rights of religious freedom should be important components to sustain tolerance among all God’s creation.” The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate stand with His All-Holiness and urge the government of the People’s Republic of China to respect this fundamental right. We further respectfully request that the United Nations take due note of the plight of these Christians within the People’s Republic of China, and take effective steps to protect them.”
Lighting a Candle
“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Upon entering an Orthodox church it is customary to light candles and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. Candles are lit before icons as a sign of one’s faith and hope in God’s help that is always sent to all who turn to Him and His Saints with faith and prayers. By lighting a candle and offering a prayer, one enters into closer contact with the Church and her ministry to the faithful, invisibly warming the soul by the visible light of the candle.
John 8:12
Upon entering an Orthodox church it is customary to light candles and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. Candles are lit before icons as a sign of one’s faith and hope in God’s help that is always sent to all who turn to Him and His Saints with faith and prayers. By lighting a candle and offering a prayer, one enters into closer contact with the Church and her ministry to the faithful, invisibly warming the soul by the visible light of the candle.
