St. Ilija Church is open every Sunday for the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom. We begin service at 10:30 am and end at 12:00 pm; everyone is invited to join us for coffee and conversation after service.

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The Dormition of the holiest Theotokos is one of the important feasts in Orthodox Christianity. It depicts her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. This feast is celebrated with much significance and importance among Orthodox families. The Holy Theotokos, Mother Mary, occupies the most important place in the Orthodox Church next to Jesus Christ.

Orthodox Easter is a remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is one of the widely celebrated occasions among Orthodox Christians.  Red-dyed eggs are cracked against each other, and the person with the last remaining uncracked egg will have good luck. Easter Sunday is a time of festivity, and people eat, talk or dance throughout the night.”

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Orthodox Christmas is a celebration of Jesus's birth. 

This is a multi-day celebration. On the Eve of Christmas, a special Christmas bread with a coin baked in it is passed around. The person who finds the coin is suppose to be lucky for the rest of the year. On Christmas Eve oak tree, 'badnik," is also burned. On Christmas Day most go to church service and then come home to have a large feast. 

St. Ilija church is open daily from 10 am to 2 pm for anyone who wishes to stop by and light a candle for good health or to remember the departed. Priest Blaze can answer questions, offer spiritual guidance, or talk with visitors on various topics, including a story or two from our rich Macedonian and Orthodox history.  

The most beautiful and poetic service of the Orthodox Church in honor of Mary is the Akathist Hymn. The congregation stands throughout the Service out of respect for Mary and her unique role in our salvation in Christ. The Akathist Hymn is chanted in four parts during the first four Fridays of Great Lent. On the fifth Friday, the entire Service is chanted.

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The Blessing of Five Loaves of Bread is a service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. Oil, wine, wheat, and the loaves of bread used in the service are the most basic elements necessary for life. This Blessing is usually offered during Vespers or after the Divine Liturgy on Feast days and other special occasions. After the Service, the bread is cut and distributed to the congregation.

Epiphany is an Orthodox celebration held in January in honor of Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a Dove and proclaimed Him the Son of God. The church’s baptismal water is blessed, and small bottles of holy water are given to worshippers to take home.

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