On January 2, 2022, we kept the custom of St. Basil's Bread (The Vasilopeta). This year the coins were received by Rdr. George Kaloroumakis, Beth Dunbar, Bobbie Dobronz, Sarah Doyle, Camilia Milite, Eliana Milite, and Maleah Morsey. May the Lord grant them many blessed years!

On January 5, 2022 the festal Matins of Holy Theophany was served together with the Great Blessing of Water. On January 6, 2022 we celebrated the Divine Liturgy.  On this feast, the faithful gathered to commemorate Christ's baptism in the Jordan River and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. We rejoice in this holy feast which brings about our renewal, regeneration, and santification. We send up glory, honor, and worship to our true God Who has revealed Himself to us! 

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, we had the baptism of Dylan Gregory, son of Steve and Katie Parrish. We extend our congratulations to the entire family as well as the sponsors, Connor Joseph and Logan Julia Seeley. May the Lord grant them all health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing, and many blessed years!

On January 28-29, 2022 some 12 inches of snow fell here at Christ the Savior in Berlin, Maryland leaving a beautiful white blanket covering everything. Glory to God for all things!

On Sunday, February 6, 2022, Christ the Savior had its Annual Parish Meeting. The agenda, reports, budget and draft minutes for the meeting are available below. We thank all who attended, presented reports, and assisted with the minutes!

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, we had the baptism of Archer Lawrence, son of Kevin and Sarah Kostyk. We extend our congratulations to the entire family as well as the sponsors, Andrew and Elizabeth. May the Lord grant them all health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing, and many blessed years!

An educational retreat with Archpriest Andrew Stephen Damick entitled, “Arise, O God: The Gospel of Christ’s Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death”, will be offered at Christ the Savior on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3, 2022. The retreat is offered at no cost and is open to everyone. We only ask for RSVP by March 27, 2022 so we can prepare for the luncheon. Donations are welcome! 

You’re invited to join parishioners to see the new movie about Saint Nektarios of Aegina, entitled “Man of God”, at 7:00pm on Monday, March 21, 2022 at Regal Cinemas in Salisbury, MD.  "Man of God" depicts the trials and tribulations of Saint Nektarios, as he bears the unjust hatred of his enemies while preaching the Word of God. Exiled unjustly, convicted without trial, slandered without cause.  If interested, please RSVP with Mat. Emily or sign-up in the back of the church so we can reserve enough tickets. You may also buy your own tickets below. Donations to help cover ticket costs are welcome!

On Sunday, February 27, 2022 with the blessing of our diocesan hierarch, Metropolitan Tikhon, the 2022 Parish Council members were installed into office. During the first meeting of the 2022 Council, Justin DeArmitt was elected Senior Warden and Barbara Kaloroumakis was elected Treasurer. May the Lord bless them all!

During the Annual Parish Meeting on February 6, 2022, it was unanimously decided to raise money to pay for much needed repairs to the church’s entrance drive and parking lot. The existing asphalt has already deteriorated considerably and postponing these necessary repairs will only increase the scope and cost of the work. It is requested that the members and benefactors of Christ the Savior, prayerfully consider making a donation to cover the cost of the repairs, which total at $15,153. Should you have any questions, please speak with Fr. John or Don Rowe, our junior warden. Thank you for your generosity!

On Sunday, March 6, following the Divine Liturgy, we had the beautiful and grace-filled Rite of Forgiveness before entering into the Holy Forty Days of the Great Fast. During this solemn ritual we ask and receive forgiveness from each other and the Lord, who says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” (Matthew 6:14)

During the first week of Great Lent the faithful gather for the reading of the Great Canon of Repentance, written by St. Andrew of Crete in the 8th century. In this canon, St. Andrew wonderfully weaves our own personal story of sinfulness and restoration in Christ with the accounts of the sinful and righteous of the Old and New Testaments, giving us greater awareness of not only the history of salvation for the people of God, but also greater insight into how we must participate in the writing of our own personal salvation history.

On March 13, 2022, we celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy with a procession of icons during the Divine Liturgy and the reading of the ancient Synodicon, the affirmation of the Orthodox Faith that our salvation is proclaimed in both words and images. We also blessed two new mosaics, which are to be installed on the front façade of the Parish Center. We congratulate all who celebrate on this day!

On Monday, March 21, 2022 almost 30 people from Christ the Savior gathered at Regal Cinemas in Salisbury, MD to view the new movie about Saint Nektarios of Aegina, entitled “Man of God”. Everyone loved the movie, which chronicled the trials and tribulations of Saint Nektarios, as he bore the unjust hatred of his enemies while preaching the Word of God. Exiled unjustly, convicted without trial, and slandered without cause, Saint Nektarios underwent it all with humility, forgiveness, and love, for which he was vindicated by God and glorified among the saints of the Church.  Glory to God who is wondrous in His Saints! (Psalm 68:36)  Holy Hierarch Nektarios pray unto God for us!

On Friday, March 25, 2022 the faithful gathered to celebrate The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man. We congratulate everyone on the Feast!

On Sunday, March 27, 2022 we celebrated the birthdays of the clergy wives, who were all born in the month of March. We heartily congratulate Mat. Emily Parsells, Mat. Dunia Hubiak, Mat. Annice Oleynik, and Nissa Nancy Hall. Fr. John, who also celebrated his birthday in March, was presented with a custom travel mug with the word "Sermonator" embossed on it.  May the Lord continue to bless them all, granting them health, strength, salvation, furtherance in every good thing and many blessed years!

An educational retreat with Archpriest Andrew Stephen Damick entitled, “Arise, O God: The Gospel of Christ’s Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death”, was held at Christ the Savior on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3, 2022. The retreat was offered at no cost and was open to everyone, with around 70 people in attendance. Appreciation is expressed to Fr. Andrew for his well prepared, fascinating and edifying presentations. We also thank Rdr. George Kaloroumakis and those who assisted in putting on the retreat as well as those who made donations to cover the costs. Glory to God for all things!

On Lazarus Saturday, April 16, 2022, we welcomed Judith Irene Williams into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism and Chrismation.  We congratulate her, together with her sponsors, Christopher Alexis and Laurie Marina Morsey.  May the Lord grant the newly-illumined handmaiden of God, Judith Irene, health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing and many blessed years!

On Palm Sunday, April 17, 2022 the faithful gathered to celebrate the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem. A procession around the church was made while the faithful bore in their hands palms in honor of the festive occasion. Following the beautiful divine services, a traditional Bakaliaro fish meal was offered for all present. Glory be to God for all things!

On Great and Holy Wednesday, April 20, 2022, the faithful gathered for the Mystery of Holy Unction, the anointing with holy oil for the healing of soul and body. The Church’s practice of Holy Unction dates back to Apostolic times, see James 5:14.

From April 17-23, 2022, the faithful gathered at Christ the Savior to celebrate the solemn liturgical services of Great and Holy Week, which commemorate the Lord's voluntary Passion, Cross, Death and Burial.

On Sunday, April 24, 2022, the faithful assembled for the Midnight service, celebrating the Feast of Feast, Holy Pascha, which commemorates the Resurrection of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. More than 140 people gathered for the celebration of the liturgical services which were followed by the blessing of foods and a festive meal in the hall and rectory. We greet you all with the joyous exclamation, "Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!"

The divine services of Holy Pascha were broadcasted live and the recordings may be viewed below. Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

During the daily services of Great Lent the Church doubles the readings from the Psalter (Book of Psalms).  As our parish was not able to offer all of these services, a group of women, organized by Rachael Howard, divided the Psalter into sections so that it could be read together each day. On Bright Friday, the Women's Psalter Group met at Cami Milite's house for dinner, fellowship, and to discuss their experience of reading the Psalter together. Many thanks to all who participated in the group and glory to God for all things!

On May 1, 2022, Archpriest Joseph Oleynik presided at the Divine Liturgy, offering a beautiful homily on the constancy of God's love despite our doubts and even denial, paralleling the struggles and victories in the life of the Apostle Thomas with our own as disciples of Christ. May we all be filled with the grace of our loving God as we continue to celebrate this Paschal season. Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

On Thomas Sunday, May 1, 2022, the children of the parish played basketball with Fr. John in the church parking lot. They went easy on him and everyone had a great time. Glory to God for a great day!

On Thomas Sunday, May 1, 2022, an egg hunt was held for the children of the parish. In the Orthodox churches, Easter eggs are blessed by the priest at the end of the Paschal Service and distributed to the faithful. The egg is seen by followers of Christianity as a symbol of resurrection: while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it. Inside the eggs of the older church school group were questions from the Scriptures that had to be answered, with prizes awarded to those who got the most correct answers. Many thanks to the church school teachers and parents for putting on the event!

On Sunday, May 8, 2022, we had the baptism of Liam Gheorghe, son of Ross Fargo and Petronela Whitman. We extend our congratulations to the entire family as well as the sponsors, Claudiu Ilie and Daniela Raileanu. May the Lord grant them all health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing, and many blessed years!

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 @ 6:00pm there will be a showing of the film “Paul, Apostle of Christ” (2018) at Christ the Savior in the rectory and hall (if needed).  There will also be a second movie shown for younger children. Everyone is invited to attend, both parishioners and friends of the parish.

Each summer parishioners and friends of Christ the Savior take advantage of being so close to the beach by gathering together on Assateague Island and Ocean City following the Sunday events at the church. This year the following Sundays have been designated as Parish Beach Days. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the fellowship and good times!

Each year the faithful of Christ the Savior prayerfully ask the Lord God Almighty to bless the parish pool and the fellowship it provides, throwing in the life-giving Cross of Christ to sanctify the water. The precious Cross is then retrieved by the children of the parish, remembering the words of the Lord, "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." We invite you all to come enjoy the pool and fellowship, and much more so to take up your cross and participate in the Life of Christ! The Cross Dive and Pool Opening are scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2022. Everyone is welcome!

On Saturday, May 21, 2022, we had the baptism of Micah, daughter of Justin and Alexis DeArmitt. We extend our congratulations to the entire family, including Archpriest Joseph and Mat. Annice, the grandparents, and Mat. Dunia Hubiak, the great-grandmother, as well as the sponsors, Anthony and Larissa. May the Lord grant them all health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing, and many blessed years!

On Sunday, May 22, 2022, we had our annual Cross Dive, which opened the swimming season at Christ the Savior. The faithful prayerfully asked the Lord God Almighty to bless the parish pool and the fellowship it provides, throwing in the life-giving Cross of Christ to sanctify the water. The precious Cross is then retrieved by the children of the parish, remembering the words of the Lord, "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." Crosses were retrieved by Damiana and Isabella Milite.

On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the faithful gathered to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. As is customary, the Vespers with Kneeling Prayers was served immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We congratulation all who celebrate on this high holy day!

On Sunday, June 19, 2022, prayers were offered at the completion of the academic year, thanking the Lord for the blessing of His wisdom and knowledge, and asking Him to preserve the students in that which they have learned which is according to His divine law. 

It was also the civil holiday of Father's Day. We ask the Lord's blessing upon all the fathers, god-fathers, spiritual fathers, and everyone else who celebrates on this Father's Day. Many blessed years to all!

On Sunday, July 10, 2022, we were pleased to welcome Pax Daniel Garcia into the catechumenate during the Divine Liturgy. We humbly ask the Lord's continued blessing upon him as he prepares himself for sacramental reception into the Orthodox Church!

On Sunday, July 10, 2022, seven small rooftop crosses and one large cross for the top of the archway at the entrance of the property were blessed at the end of the Divine Liturgy. The large cross was erected later during the week and the small rooftop crosses will be installed at a forthcoming date. These crosses were donated as part of Project Illumination in memory of Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak, who founded the parish in 2000. May his memory be eternal and may these crosses inspire us all to enter the Kingdom of God through self-denial, taking up our own crosses and following Christ.

On Sunday, July 24, 2022, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, we had the annual Blessing of Chariots (cars, trucks, bikes, etc).  It is a custom of Orthodox Christians to have their cars blessed both when newly acquired and on or near the feast of the Prophet Elias (July 20th), as he ascended as if into heaven on a fiery chariot. We thank God for a truly blessed day!

On Sunday, August 14, 2022 a newly painted portrait of the parish's founding priest, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak, was presented to the community and to Matushka Dunia Hubiak as a token of our love and support for her as well as our appreciation for all that she and her late husband, Fr. Daniel, have done for Christ the Savior here in Berlin, Maryland. The portrait was beautifully executed by Shayne Swenson from Spokane, Washington. Glory to God for all things! May Fr. Daniel's memory be eternal!

On Thursday, August 15, 2022, the faithful gathered to celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which is the annual festal commemoration the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Virgin Mary, the Birthgiver of God. After the Divine Services parishioners traveled to the local Chick-Fil-A followed by some time at the beach on Assateague Island to continue to the celebration and fellowship. Glory to God for a beautiful feastday!

On Sunday, August 21, 2022, we welcomed visitors and friends to Christ the Savior for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and a Parish Beach Day at Assateague Island. Joining Archpriest Joseph Oleynik and Archpriest John Parsells were Archpriest Leonid Schmidt, Protodeacon John Oleynik and Protodeacon Peter Markevich. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the following prayer was offered in gratitude to God for His many blessings to our little parish which just celebrated its patronal feast on August 16, with the commemoration of the Icon Not-Made-By-Hands.

On Sunday, August 28, 2022, we asked the Lord's blessing upon the teachers and students at the beginning of the Academic Year.  May the Lord enlighten and guide them into His divine truth!

On Wednesday, October 5, 2022 @ 6:00pm there will be a showing of the film “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of CS Lewis” (2021) at Christ the Savior in the rectory and hall (if needed).  There will also be a second movie shown for younger children. Everyone is invited to attend, both parishioners and friends of the parish.

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the end of the Divine Liturgy there was special blessing for the choir director, members, and readers. This blessing takes place annually on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Romanus the Melodist (October 1st). We ask that Lord's divine blessing upon them so that they might worthily fulfill this vital ministry.

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, Brad and Georgiana Wright had their marriage solemnized by the Church. We congratulate them as well their family and friends who attending the Marriage Blessing service. May the Lord grant them many blessed years!

On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, we will resume our weekly Bible Study as we look at the Catholic Epistles of St. Peter. The study will be held on Zoom at 7:00pm and is open to all parishioners and friends.

In November and December 2022, our reading group will be examining "The Problem of Pain" by C. S. Lewis, one of the most renowned Christian authors and thinkers. In this text he examines a universally applicable question within the human condition: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?” With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C.S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungering for a true understanding of God.

On Sunday, October 30, 2022 parishioners and friends gathered after Divine Liturgy at Showell Park in Berlin for a day of recreation. About 30 people attended and enjoyed continued fellowship as well as two highly competitive kickball and soccer games. This was the first of such events and by popular request a second Parish Park Day has been scheduled for Sunday, November 27.

On Sunday, October 30, 2022, we had the baptism of Maeve Joy Bridget, daughter of Larry and Tara Casserly. We extend our congratulations to the entire family as well as the sponsors, David and Patricia McAlpin. May the Lord grant them all health, strength, salvation, a furtherance in every good thing, and many blessed years!

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, prayers were offered at the end of the Divine Liturgy for those in the healing ministries. We ask the Lord's continued blessings upon all those who work with Him in the healing of mankind's physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds and illnesses. May the Lord grant them many blessed years of faithful service to Him and their fellow man!

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, the children participated in our annual St. Michael's party, by dressing as saints and angels, and they also enjoyed fun activities. The St. Michael's Party coincided with the parish Thanksgiving meal with the traditional foods and fixings. We also had arts and crafts for the adults and seniors. Many thanks to all who made this year's St. Michael's party and Thanksgiving meal such a great success!

On Sunday, December 4, 2022 a group of parishioners traveled to the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to sing Christmas carols. Following the general concert in the recreation room, we walked the halls, singing to those who were on ventilators and bound to their rooms. Many thanks to Alexis Oleynik, our choir director, Beth Dunbar, our outreach chair, and all those who went to sing and share the joy of the Christmas season!

In January and February 2023, our reading group will be examining "Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way" by Dr. Andrew Geleris, an Orthodox Christian neurologist and author. Too often, we as hierarchs, clergy, and lay leaders speak to our people about giving to meet the needs of the Church or the needs of the poor, and we forget to teach that the true need for each and every one of us is simply to give. God did not recommend that we give only when there is some perceived need or a capital campaign for a project. God commands that we give for our salvation. This short but profound book explores the deeper spiritual meaning—and necessity—of financial giving. 

The schedule of divine services for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is as follows.

As the faithful gathered to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ according to the flesh, we humbly asked the Lord's continued blessing upon you all for a joyous, peaceful and grace-filled festive season and New Year. Christ is born! Glorify Him!