Service Schedule

Saturdays
  • 6:00 pm - Great Vespers​
Sundays
  • 8:50 am - Orthros
  • 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
Feast Day Liturgies
  • 6:00 pm - Preceding Evening
Confession

Upcoming Events

Weekly Church Bulletin
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News & Events

Teen SOYO Lock-In
December 30, 2025

We had a blast at the Teen SOYO lock-in! Making the most of their Christmas break, the teens gathered at church for a lock-in where they played games, shared a pot-luck, and enjoyed a discussion led by Subdeacon Michael. 

The evening started with Readers Vespers and some snacks and food brought by the teens to share. Then Subdeacon Michael spoke about Mark 11:11-21 and led a discussion about the withering fig tree and cleansing the Temple, as well as New Years and resolutions. 

Then the teens played games including an intense game of dodgeball, board games, Apples to Apples, and Let’s Dance on the Wii. They finished the evening with Compline.
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​Thank you to parents and our teen advisors for planning these super fun nights for our teens. We look forward to more fun, games, learning, and worship in 2026!

Bishop THOMAS Annual Visit
December 27 and 28, 2025

We were blessed to welcome Bishop THOMAS for a visit the weekend of December 27 and 28. Visiting us a little later than usual, His Grace joined us for the Sunday after the Nativity and attended Saturday Vespers in addition to celebrating Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with us on Sunday. 
In his Sunday sermon, Bishop THOMAS preached on angels, instructing us to focus on our Guardian Angels and explaining their role in our lives. He also encouraged us to make spiritual resolutions for the new year.
St. John’s Sunday School presented Bishop THOMAS with flowers and sang the Troparion for our patron saint, St. John Chrysostom! His Grace then joined us for coffee hour.
​We were delighted to have His Grace Bishop THOMAS with us for the final weekend of 2025.

Caroling & St. Nicholas Visit
December 6-7, 2025

The weekend of December 6th & 7th was busy with a special visit from St. Nicholas and our annual caroling!

​On Sunday, after Divine Liturgy, we welcomed St. Nicholas who received gifts from our parish’s children. The kids shared good deeds with St. Nicholas and were then given the traditional chocolate coins and shortbread cookie.

After Liturgy, more than forty parishioners and the JOY Club made their way to the homes of some of our parish’s shut-ins to sing carols to them and take them a meal. They were also given cookies graciously baked by our Teen SOYO.
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It was a blessed weekend of service and celebrating St. Nicholas’s feast day!

Metropolitan SABA Visits St. John Chrysostom
November 15-16, 2025

We were blessed to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan SABA the weekend of November 15 and 16. The AOW greeted him with a Saturday afternoon tea where they enjoyed refreshments, a few brief remarks from His Eminence, and a Q&A session which touched on raising children to be in the world but not of it, developments regarding Orthodox monasteries, advice for strong, lasting marriages, and the Metropolitan’s vision and prayers for the archdiocese over the coming years.

After Vespers, our teens treated Metropolitan SABA to one of their favorite fasting meals and engaged in lively discussion of their activities, fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities, and the prayer walk project on the church grounds. He then answered their questions about his life as Metropolitan, which saints inspire him, wrestling with doubts, and ways they can share their faith with their friends.

Sunday, Nov. 16, Sayidna Saba presided at Orthros and celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. We were honored to also welcome Archpriest Ed Hughes, Subdeacon Justi, and Dn. Nathan Jekel who assisted in the tonsuring of Subdeacon Matthew Berry. His Eminence preached on Sunday’s gospel reading about our Lord’s calling of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (Matt. 9:9-13), giving insight into what it means to be an apostle of the Church in our modern world.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, His Eminence inducted Dn. Jason and his wife Bonnie into The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch and our Sunday School students sang the apolytikion of St. John Chrysostom for His Eminence and presented him with flowers. In turn, he presented the children with small wooden crosses. On Sunday evening, the parish council hosted him for dinner.

Throughout the weekend, parishioners were grateful for the chance to ask questions, discuss the upcoming opening of the St. John Chrysostom School, and receive Metropolitan Saba’s wisdom regarding living the Christian life and modeling it for generations to come.
A huge thank you to the visiting clergy for joining us and everyone who provided food, prepared meals, assisted with set up and break down, took photos, and helped us properly and warmly welcome Metropolitan Saba to our wonderful parish!

Chili Cookoff
Saturday, November 8, 2025

St. John hosted our 3rd annual Chili Cook Off on Saturday, November 8. Sponsored by the St. John Fellowship in Lancaster, this is a fun night of chili, fellowship, and friendly competition. We had more than 15 entries, pitting York against Lancaster. The St. John Teen SOYO even submitted their own chili.
The teens from Lancaster County won Best of Lancaster County and Ted B. won Best of York County. Best Overall was awarded to Team York in a narrow (but well-earned) victory!
​Thank you to everyone who submitted chilis, attended, and voted. We had a great time!

Saints Festival
Sunday, November 2, 2025

On Sunday, November 2, St. John had it's annual Saints Festival.  Our children of our church dressed up as their patron saints and told the congregation a bit about their saint.  

Teen SOYO Fireside Chat & Hotdog Sale & Teen Month
October 18, 2025

On Saturday, October 18, the Teen SOYO enjoyed a fireside chat complete with s’mores! They gathered after Vespers for a discussion on being a teen today and for some bonding before their Hot Dog Sale on Sunday.

To help raise money for their Antiochian Village summer camp adventures, the teens hosted a Hot Dog Sale, cooking for and then serving the parish during coffee hour. The teens then cleaned up the church and helped advertise the chili cookoff by doing a chili conga line!

​This was a fantastic way to conclude Teen Month during which the teens read the epistles, served as ushers, read Communion prayers, and more to assist the church and participate in the Liturgy.

Deacon Retreat
September 5-7, 2025

Over the weekend of September 5 deacons gathered in Pittsburgh, PA for the annual Deacons Retreat. A fantastic opportunity for deacons within the dioceses to gather for fellowship, learning, and worship. This year’s retreat was hosted by St. Moses the Black in Pittsburgh, PA and was attended by 7 deacons and 2 subdeacons as well as His Grace Bishop THOMAS.

​Attendees started their weekend with a Pirates game at PNC Park, then enjoyed a weekend of discussion and keynote sessions led by Fr. Paul Abernathy, pastor at St. Moses the Black. Topics included Diokonia, or “service among others”, reflections from Elder Thaddeus, a discussion on inner resistance, doing tasks from the heart, and finally an open dialogue about being a deacon within and outside the Orthodox Church and liturgy. The deacons were also given a tour of the Neighborhood Resilience Project, its facilities, and discussed everything it offers to the community.

The weekend finished with dinner at Khalil’s Restaurant, vespers on Saturday night, and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning with Bishop THOMAS. Special thanks to Bishop THOMAS, Fr. Paul Abernathy, and Dn. James Rossetti for coordinating the event and supporting the deacons of the dioceses

Parish Picnic
August 16, 2025

On Saturday, August 16 we had our annual St. John’s parish picnic! Starting with 9th hour prayers at 3, we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon with a buffet-style potluck, hotdogs, hamburgers, lamp, and delicious side dishes and desserts. 
The kids enjoyed a slip-n-slide, basketball, and other games, while everyone had a blast with the Critter Connection animals. We could hold and visit snakes, turtles, rabbits, and more.
​A huge thank you to everyone who helped organize the picnic and make it such a great afternoon!

Vacation Bible School
August 3 - August 7, 2025

Another great year of VBS complete! This year the kids at St. Johns did a week-long study of the Fruits of the Spirit from Sunday, August 3 to Thursday, August 7. Each day began with prayer and opening songs and instructions, then groups split into their “fruit” groups —strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, grapes, oranges, and bananas—and traveled between “fruit stands” that each featured a Saint or Fruit of the Spirit lesson and activity.
On Tuesday, the kids joined the rest of the parish to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration and then solved an escape room activity.
The rest of the evenings were spent learning about Fruits of the Spirit: Love (they made cards for Orthodox Prison Ministry); Peace (they learned songs about peace); Kindness (they made hygiene kits for IOCC and dessert for Our Daily Bread in York); Faithfulness (they participated in a scavenger hunt relating to Abraham’s faithfulness); Patience (they played games involving being patient); Self-Control (they played games involving self control); Joy (the kids played outside); Goodness (they made sun catchers); and Gentleness (the kids practiced being a shepherd and gently leading our sheep). 
On Thursday we had a Color War and the kids did a great job dressing in their “fruit” color to represent their team.
A special thanks to all our helpers at fruit stands and Sh. Bonnie Flowers for her efforts in planning the VCS and making it such a wonderful week of learning and growing in our faith!

St. John Participates at Parish Life Conference
June 26 - June 29, 2025

St. John’s parishioners attended and participated in the annual Parish Life Conference! Held at the Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA, the Parish Life Conference (PLC) is a time for parishioners throughout the diocese to gather, learn, and worship together. From June 26 through Sunday July 29, a number of events, meetings, and services are held, including the Oratorical Festival and the Bible Bowl.

Our Oratorical participants swept the competition with Mary F. winning the Senior Division and Michael F. winning the Junior Division! Mary will be representing St. John’s parish at the National Antiochian Convention in Chicago at the end of July.

We also celebrated some wins at the Bible Bowl with our preteen team placing 2nd and our teen team placing in the top 5!
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It’s always a blessing to attend this community event and we are so proud of our Bible Bowl teams and Oratorical winners!

Teen SOYO Give Back Dinner
Saturday, May 31, 2025

The St. John’s Teen SOYO was excited to give back to our community and show their appreciation with a Give Back Dinner. On Saturday, May 31, after an early Vespers, they hosted a dinner of hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad, pasta salad, and more for members of the St. John parish.

Our teens made and served dinner, provided childcare, and even added to the festivities with trivia and a fun parody of the song Eye of the Tiger (which the children also acted out), as well as other games.
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It was a truly blessed evening - a huge thank you to all the teens for their hard work and love for our community!

Teen SOYO Visit with Met. SABA 
Saturday, April 26, 2025

What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday! On April 26, our teens were invited to join fellow teens from other parishes to have a BBQ with Metropolitan SABA in Englewood, NJ. They spent the afternoon discussing teen activities, the teen’s work at their parishes, the importance of building relationships, and more! 

Additionally, Metropolitan SABA shared experiences from his youth, including how he would meet and pray with his peers, and he spoke about his travels across the US and Canada as he does his work as Metropolitan. He also talked about his Holy Week and Pascha experiences in Canada
 The teens then enjoyed a BBQ with delicious food provided by the Metropolitan’s chef! They then enjoyed some fellowship together while playing games and talking.
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​It was a blessed afternoon with His Grace Metropolitan SABA. Thank you to all involved in setting up and chaperoning this amazing opportunity for our teens!

Holy Week, Pascha, & Bright Monday
Saturday April 12 - Monday April 21, 2025

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Our Holy Week began with Lazarus Saturday and preparations for the coming week, including folding palms, preparing candles for Holy Wednesday and Thursday, and decorating the frame for the Bridegroom icon.

Sunday we joyously celebrated Palm Sunday as well as the first of the Bridegroom matins services that took place Monday evening and Tuesday evening as well. Wednesday we received Holy Unction and Thursday morning we celebrated Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Last Supper and the Foot Washing.

Thursday night was the service of the 12 Passion Gospels and the men’s vigil by the Tomb which took place all night until Royal Hours on Friday Morning. Friday afternoon and evening was the Unnailing Vespers and Lamentations with the procession of the bier. 

After the Friday evening Lamentations the Teen SOYO held their own vigil at the tomb until midnight. Holy Saturday began with Divine Liturgy in the morning and the harrowing of Hell, and Saturday night, we celebrated Great and Holy Pascha! 

Sunday we held Agape Vespers where volunteers read the Gospel in different languages (this year included German, Japanese, Latin, Dutch, and others). 

Finally, on Bright Monday, we celebrated Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Graves. This long and wonderful week is capped off with a luncheon of steak, chicken, wedge salads, and more that we all enjoy after the Bright Monday services and an in-depth cleaning of the church and parish hall. 
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​It was truly a blessed week of worship and celebration! Christ is Risen!

Heirarchical Divine Liturgy with His Grace Bishop JOHN
Sunday, March 2, 2025

We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One, / and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ God. / Of Your own will You were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh / to deliver Your creatures from bondage to the enemy. / Therefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You: / You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, / by coming to save the world.
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On Sunday, March 9, we celebrated the first week of Great Lent which is traditionally the Sunday of Orthodoxy. His Grace Bishop JOHN joined us for Hierarchical Divine Liturgy after which the St. John’s youth joined the clergy to process around the church with their icons. Every year this is done to commemorate the Triumph of Orthodoxy over the heresy of the Iconoclasts!

St. John Hosts Pan Orthodox Vespers
Saturday, March 8, 2025

This year, we had the honor of hosting the annual Orthodox Council of Churches of South Central PA's(OCCSCP) annual Triumph of Orthodoxy/Pan Orthodox Vespers! On the evening of Saturday, March 8th we welcomed parishioners from many of the 15 Orthodox churches that are members of the OCCSCP, along with 13 priests, deacons, and His Grace Bishop JOHN.
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Clergy and Parishioners came together to show unity of the faith and commemorate the restoration of the holy icons after the iconoclast controversy.  For more information about the Sunday of Orthodoxy please visit: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/31. 

Every year, the location of the vespers service is held at a different church and we all have the honor of coming together to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This year, Bishop JOHN was our speaker. After vespers all attendees were invited to stay for a wonderful lenten meal and fellowship in the St. John’s fellowship hall.

The charity for the evening was the Women’s Care Center in York, PA (womenscarecenter.org).

DMC/Teen Retreat
Saturday, March 8, 2025

On Saturday, our teens traveled to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. for the DMC Spring Retreat! Joining adults (who participated in retreat sessions with Fr. Paul Abernathy), as well as His Grace Bishop THOMAS and teens from parishes in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the teens took part in a retreat led by Fr. Joshua Burnett.
The day started with morning prayers which were followed by an icebreaker. Each teen shared their name, home parish, age, fun fact, and what type of potato they’d be - which got everyone laughing and ready for their collaborative activity. Once they’d gotten to know each other a bit, they broke out into groups and worked together to create advertising videos for the Oratorical Festival, Bible Bowl, and other PLC activities. 
The teens’ retreat sessions were led by Fr. Joshua who talked about turning the other cheek, helping those in need, and other topics. The floor was then opened for an Ask Abuna session where Fr. Joshua answered the teens’ questions about the iconostasis, head coverings, and other topics related to the liturgy.
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The day ended with a community service project of assembling care packages for those in need in Pittsburgh. These hygiene kits will go to the Neighborhood Resilience Project, a ministry of St. Moses the Black parish in Pittsburgh.

Forgiveness Vespers
Sunday, March 2, 2025

Following Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour on Sunday on March 2, the faithful of St. John's celebrated Forgiveness Vespers.  At the end of the service all the faithful approach the priest and one another asking for mutual forgiveness.   Over 100 people were in attendance!  Please read this reflection on the Forgiveness.  [Click Here]

Teen SOYO Church Cleaning
Saturday, March 1, 2025

Every year we are blessed by the Teen SOYO’s generosity as they clean the church for Clean Week! On Saturday, March 1, the teens gathered at the church to tackle the extensive deep cleaning of the sanctuary, narthex, and other areas. 
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​The teens took this opportunity to discuss fasting, renewal, and repentance. We start our fasting from meat and dairy and we renew ourselves by attending more church services during the first week. During this time, we start to repent and change our behaviors and attitudes to turn towards Christ.  

All of these things are a cleaning of our souls. What better way to meditate on these ideas than to clean the church as it is a temple of God?
The teens wiped down all wooden icons, cleaned the Bishop’s Throne, reached high up to clean the cobwebs from the ceiling and vents, and wiped down the Baptismal Font and windows. They also vacuumed the Iconostasis and choir area, mopped the nave floor, and more!
We ended by reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you now know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" and enjoyed some pizza before attending vespers.

Thank you teens for taking such great care of our church!

Family Fun Night
Friday, February 14, 2025

On Valentine’s Day, the families of St. Johns gathered for a Family Fun Night! This annual tradition is an evening of games, food, and family time to brighten the winter and come together for fellowship before Lent begins.
​Everyone enjoyed trivia and other games, fantastic food brought as a potluck, and more. Huge thank you to Kh. Pam for organizing this fun evening!

Ladies Tea
Saturday, January 18, 2025

The ladies of St. John Chrysostom gathered on Saturday, January 18 for their annual winter retreat! Finding inspiration in the quote from Saint Sophrony Sakharov who encourages us to “draw back a little, and have a cup of tea”, the ladies hosted an afternoon tea. We were honored to have Fr. Ed Hughes as our retreat leader who spoke to us about Hieromonk Seraphim, St. Sophrony, and their guidance regarding God’s control of our lives.
Fr. Ed shared stories from his own ministry as a parish priest, and walked us through St. Seraphim’s spiritual testament titled “That Was From Me.” This beautiful document expresses time and again how God provides all for us–even the things we may think are bad are given to us as gifts to help us strengthen our faith and belief in God’s power. 
​Thank you to Fr. Ed as well as all the ladies who attended and helped provide food and tea for a wonderful and spiritually enriching afternoon.

Mini Oratorical Workshop
Saturday, January 11, 2025

Saturday, January 11 was St. John Chrysostom’s 2nd annual mini-oratorical workshop! Our teens gathered with peers at St. Philips in Souderton, PA to participate in an afternoon of fellowship, workshop, and oratorical practice. 
The group of teens was introduced to the Oratorical Festival that takes place every year at the PLC with a brief overview. V.Rev. Noah Bushelli led the introduction, followed by words from the previous year’s Oratorical winner, then attendees took part in two sessions. The first session was about research and the anatomy of an oratorical presentation: developing an introduction, body, and conclusion. The second session was all about presentation, from pacing and speaking volume, to confidence, gestures, and tips on how to avoid mumbling. 
Students had the opportunity to practice their presentation skills while reading an epistle and received feedback from their peers. They were also given the chance to deliver a mini-oratorical and hear constructive feedback from other participants as well as the instructor, Cynthia Long from St. George Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, PA. 
We are excited to see what this year’s participants bring to the 2025 PLC!

Our New Metropolitan SABA (Esper)

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On February 22/23, 2023, the Holy Synod of Antioch, presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X, prayerfully elected Metropolitan SABA (Esper) as the new Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of North America.  May God grant His Eminence many years of fruitful service in the vineyard of North America!
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Read a Statement from Patriarch JOHN X
Read the Decision of the Holy Synod
Read Metropolitan SABA's Biography

St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church
1993 - 2023

On Sunday, January 8, 2023, His Grace Bp. THOMAS (Joseph), proistamenos the Very Rev. Father Peter Pier, along with the clergy and faithful gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the parish of St. John Chrysostom, as well as the 30th anniversary of Fr. Peter's ordination to the priesthood.  Following a hierarchical divine liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bp. THOMAS, approximately 190 clergy and faithful gathered in the parish hall to give thanks to God for all that he has accomplished over the past thirty years.  The hall was full of great joy and thanksgiving as Mr. James Clymer, Parish Council President, emceed the event.  Fr. Peter and Kh. Pam both shared memories of the early days of the parish with both humor and tenderness.  Sayidna THOMAS commended all those who have lovingly labored to build the parish to what it is today, through the prayers and inspiration of His Grace Bp. ANTOUN of blessed memory, and called all present to view the spiritual success of the first thirty years as a foundation for all that is to come through the grace of the Holy Spirit.  

Special thanks goes to Leslie Atherholt, who organized the  celebration and catering by Mission BBQ of York, along with the many volunteers who helped with set up, serving, and clean up. ​Joining us for the celebration was the Rev. Economos Andrew Tsikitas, Presbytera Katherine Tsikitas, Rev. Deacon Tom & Jan Shelley of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of York, Pennsylvania. 
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Click here to read more and to see photos

Daily Readings

Location & Directions

2397 N. Sherman St. / York, Pennsylvania / 17406

St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church

2397 N. Sherman St., York, Pennsylvania 17406
[email protected] / 717-515-2156