Parish Community Letter -April 2026

Dear Saint Sophia Parishioners,

With the blessings from Father Steve and Father Gregory, the Clergy, Parish Council, and Staff wish everyone a Blessed and Glorious Easter!  Kalo Pascha!

LITURGICAL CALENDAR: Every Sunday 8:30 AM Orthros and 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Our weekday worship now begins at 7:30 AM Orthros and 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy – please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for other services and updates. We also have published a 2026 Holy Week Schedule for your convenience. There are copies available in the Narthex and online.

On March 1, we celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy, and welcomed all our past, previous, and future Sunday School Students, JOY, Little Angels, GOYA, Acolytes, YAL, and Parish Council Members to take part in the Procession of Icons on the Sunday of Orthodoxy!

We welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on March 22, and we were inspired by his beautiful message to the community.

Throughout Lent, in addition to celebrating many Divine Liturgy Services, we offered Compline and (Reader) Services, Vespers and Divine Liturgies, Compunctionate Vespers, and Salutations to the Virgin Mary, culminating with the beautiful AKATHIST HYMN.

This coming Holy Week, Saint Sophia Cathedral once again welcomes home His Grace Bishop Joachim (Cotsonis) of Amissos, who will preside over the Divine Services. As many of us know, His Grace is a beloved child of Saint Sophia and the very first hierarch that our community has raised up in her long, 122-year history. His Grace was consecrated Bishop of Amissos in Saint Sophia Cathedral on December 22, 2019. His Grace was very instrumental in developing the Narthex Iconography Program, which celebrates Saint Sophia – The Wisdom of God.

SSC GENERAL UPDATES:

• Saint Sophia Ministry Activities: Our March ministry events included our monthly Sunday School Teen Talk (Grades 7th – 12th), Sunday School Faith Time (3rd – 6th grades), and Sunday School Face Time (Pre K – 2nd grades). Both GOYA and Philoptochos held Lenten Retreats. The Altar Boys and Men in Black held a La Casa Event. The Psalter Prayer Group began their prayers on February 23 and will continue through April 3.

• Saint Sophia Greek School – Greek Independence Day Celebration: On Saturday, March 14, we were honored to welcome the Consul of the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, Mr. Michael Skopelitis, and Hellenic Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Kantzidis. During the Greek Independence Day Celebration, Lieutenant Colonel Kantzidis presented Saint Sophia Greek School with a plaque in recognition of the contributions and efforts celebrating our Greek culture, language, and religion.

• Holy Week Visitations to Homebound and Nursing Home Residents: If you, a family member, or friend would like to be visited during Holy Week by Father Gregory, please contact the Cathedral’s office to schedule a visit.

• The Saint Sophia Mercedes-Benz Raffle: Take advantage of winning a Mercedes-Benz or $40,000 in cash! With GREAT ODDS OF WINNING, there are only 1000 tickets sold! The tickets are selling fast and there are fewer than 400 left!

• The Saint Sophia Greek Festival Ad Book: Please take this opportunity to advertise your business, celebrate a family member’s achievements (baptism, graduation, or wedding), or honor the memory of family members who have fallen asleep in the Lord. May their memories be eternal!

• Saint Sophia Cathedral Veterans Album: Several years ago, we started to assemble information celebrating all Saints Sophians who served our country. We want to continue and complete this effort, and we are looking for individuals who will help assemble pictures and data, compose text, and finally help publish this very important historical document. What a grand way to celebrate our country’s 250-year anniversary and our Saint Sophia history! If you are interested in helping, please contact Demo Kolaras at 703-915-1621or dkolaras2@gmail.com. 

• ParishSOFT: For your convenience, you can manage ALL your donations online. ParishSOFT will email your receipts and year-end statements. Please take this opportunity to administer your stewardship and all donations (Weekly Offering, Candles, Memorial, Saints, Saturdays of Souls, Easter, Easter Lilies, Christmas, Christmas Card, Poinsettias, Narthex, Preserve & Protect, etc.) with this online Saint Sophia giving opportunity. https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/FD-408

SSC MINISTRY AND EVENT CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for updates.

• April 2 – Philoptochos: Clean and Make Palm Crosses in FJ Hall.
• April 4 – Saturday of Lazarus – Family Communion – Confessions with the Fathers – JOY/LA Palm Making – GOYA Plaki Prep.
• April 5 – Palm Sunday – GOYA will host a Plaki Luncheon. All are welcome! And JOY/LA Arts Activities in the Ballroom.
• April 6-11 – Holy Week Visitations to Homebound and Nursing Homes by Father Gregory.
• April 9 – Philoptochos: Prepare Flowers for Kouvouklion (Epitaphio).
• APRIL 12 – ORTHODOX EASTER! CHRISTOS ANESTI!!!
• April 18-19 – Saints Constantine & Helen Basketball Tournament.
• April 17 – Bright Friday Cookout
• April 18 – Men’s Social Hour at 6 PM.
• April 19 – Sunday School Faith Time (Grades 3rd – 6th).
• April 19 – Acolyte Cookout.
• April 25 – YAL Orthodox Matchmaking Part 2 (time TBD).
• April 25-26 – Saint Demetrios Basketball Tournament.
• April 26 – 9th – 12th Grade Girls Behind the Scenes Visit to the Altar with Father Steve.
• April 26 – Philoptochos: The Myrrh Bearing Women with Diane Apostolos-Cappadona.
• May 3 – Sunday School Face Time (Grades Pre-K – 2nd).
• May 9 – Last Day of Greek School.
• May 10 – Last Day of Sunday School and Graduate Sunday.
• May 15-17 – Annual Spring Greek Festival – Volunteers needed!!!
• May 31 – Parish Assembly Meeting
• June 6 – Journey of Marriage – a pre-marriage seminar 9AM – 3 PM.
• June 8 – Saint Sophia Golf Classic at Manor Country Club.

SSC MINISTRIES – WEEKLY AND MONTHLY RECURRING EVENTS: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for updates.

• Father Steve’s Bible Study – meets October-May via zoom Tuesday evening at 7-8 PM.
• *** Beginning after Bright Week ***
  • Father Gregory’s High School Bible Study – meets via zoom Tuesday at 6-7 PM.
  • Father Gregory’s Joy and Little Angels Family Bible Study – meets via zoom Wednesday at 7:30-8 PM.
  • Father Gregory’s Orthodox Catechism Class – meets via zoom Thursday at 7-8 PM.
  • Friday Nights with Mother of God – service at 6 PM, refreshments, fellowship, and Father Gregory’s YAL Bible Study discussions to follow. Others are welcome.
• Byzantine Youth Choir Lessons – Open to all youth ages 8-18 – Sundays following the Divine Liturgy.
• Baking Committee – meets Tuesday 9:30 AM-2:30 PM during the fall, winter and spring months in the FJ Hall Kitchen, where delicious Greek sweets are made. Lunch is provided.
• Philoptochos Food Drive – the first Sunday of the month. Place your donated dry foods and cans in the bins located in FJ Hall.
• Saint Sophia Table – meets in the FJ Hall Kitchen the second Saturday of the month, where food is prepared for those in need. Food Prep 11 AM-1 PM and Service 1-3 PM (formally St. Stephen’s Table).
• GOYA Basketball Practice – typically every Monday 8-9:30 PM through the season.
• Good Company – Kali Parea – the third Thursday of the month (September-November and January-April), with a guest speaker or activity following lunch at 12:30 PM in the EAC Ballroom.
• Parish Council Meetings – the third Thursday of the month.

SSC MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS:

Saint Sophia Philoptochos: The Ladies Philoptochos Society wants to let all parishioners know that we maintain a Social Service Fund to support our Saint Sophia community. This fund may benefit any parishioner who is experiencing a financial crisis affecting his or her ability to obtain food, maintain housing and utilities or needs financial assistance due to unforeseen or other unfortunate circumstances. The parishioner may contact Father Steve or Father Gregory or the Philoptochos President to be considered for aid. The Philoptochos President will then confer with the chapter Social Service Committee to evaluate the needs and contact the individual requesting assistance.  All communications will be kept in the strictest confidence.

OTHER EVENTS or OPPORTUNITIES: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for more information.

• Meraki Laographic Arts: Hellenic Dance classes for all ages – Sundays: grades K-5^th 12:30-1:30 PM at Potomac United Methodist Church; Tuesdays: grades 5^th-8^th 6:30-8:30 PM at Winston Churchill High School; and grades 5^th-8^th 7-9 PM at Walter Johnson High School; Mondays: adults 18+ 7-9 PM at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
• Heritage Greece: The National Hellenic Society opened their applications for all Summer 2026 Heritage Greece Programs, offering Greek American/Canadian college students a two-week, immersive journey into Hellenic history, culture, and identity.

A Blessed and Glorious Easter to ALL!  Kalo Pascha!

The Saint Sophia Parish Council