St. Martin of Tours Narthex, Baltimore, MD – August 2025 Newsletter

Happy August 2025! The summer is winding down and everyone will be experiencing the 2025-2026 school year very soon, either with immediate family or neighbors going back to school or, at the very least, the multitude of school buses crowding the streets Monday through Friday. With so many things: what’s old is new again.  Let’s continue to enjoy the summer we have left!

I’m hosting the two inaugural Saint Martin’s of Tours Narthex events this month:

1. Please join me for a social outing on August 7th at Golden West Cafe in Baltimore starting at 7:00 PM. Anyone joining  me will get a chance to talk about almost anything you want, less politics or other potentially divisive topics. As a new narthex of the Apostolic Johannite Church, I’m hoping many (most) of the questions will center on the Apostolic Johannite Church and the wider Independent Sacramental Movement; the Johannite tradition; and early Christianity interpreted and discussed through esoteric, Gnostic, mystical, first century Judaism, and western philosophical lenses.
2. CHANGE-1: Also, please join me for my first Mass of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on August 24th . Being a new narthex, Masses will be held virtually  for the time being. For virtual Masses, I humbly ask everyone to provide their own wine (sacramental, mustum, or equivalent N/A red or purple grape juice) and unleavened bread or a simple wheat or GF cracker. More details are included below.

Upcoming AJC Virtual and In-Person Liturgical Ceremonies and Social Gatherings: Below are the Apostolic Johannite Church events for the Eastern Atlantic and Central United States for August 2025: 

• Georgia: Several events throughout August: The Parish of John the Baptist (Atlanta, GA and surrounding areas), multiple events to take part in throughout the month:
  • All are welcome to join Reverends Subdeacon Ms. Olivia Riley and Mr. Jeb Boone for in-person theurgy and Neoplatonism study groups, contemplative prayer sessions and a Logos Liturgy.
    • email: baptist@johannite.org 
    • web: johannite.org/baptist/ 

• Massachusetts: Sunday, August 3rd: Saint Sarah’s Parish (Boston, MA and surrounding areas) at 5:30 PM EST (in-person):
  • All are welcome to join Rev. Subdeacon Cherry Russell and Rev. Mr. Clark Aitkins at St. Sarah’s Parish in-person Logos Service followed by fellowship and a potluck meal.
  • Please visit Saint Sarah’s for more details: 
    • email: stsarahs@johannite.org 
    • web: boston.johannite.org 
    • social media: https://www.facebook.com/stsarahs 

• Illinois: Sunday, August 10th: Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel (Chicago Area) at 10:00 AM (virtual)
  • All are welcome virtually for Mass celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration celebrated by His Grace Mar Thomas (Bishop William Behun) 
  • Please visit Saint Michael’s for more details:
    • email: st.michael@johannite.org 
    • web: https://johannite.org/stmichaels/ 
    • social media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064739736751 

• Virginia: Sunday, August 17th: Our Lady of the Woods Parish (Southeastern Virginia) at 10:00 AM (virtual): 
  • All are welcome virtually (and in-person upon contacting OLOTW) for a Eucharistic Celebration celebrated by His Excellency Mar Iacomus (Bishop Scott Rassbach).
  • Please visit OLOTW’s for more details: 
    • email: woods@johannite.org 
    • web: buffalojunction.johannite.org/ 
    • social media: https://www.facebook.com/LadyOftheWoodsMcMinnville 
    • virtual Eucharistic Celebration: Join Zoom Meeting (If you can, please furnish your own wine and unleavened bread)
      • https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89862047625?pwd=PVfvX9YP3stjaQZ2f6MBualbb0rzbu.1 
      • Meeting ID: 898 6204 7625
      • Passcode: 487447
      • Phone: +1 (312) 626-6799 ; 89862047625# ; 487447# 

• Maryland-DC-NoVA: Sunday, August 24th: Saint Martin’s of Tours Narthex (Baltimore-Washington-Northern Virginia) at 10:00 AM (virtual): 
  • All are welcome to join me, Reverend Deacon Brad Rees, at Saint Martin’s of Tours Narthex virtual Mass of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts.
  • Please visit Saint Martin’s for more details:
    • email: saint.martin@johannite.org 
    • web: baltimore-dc.johannite.org  
    • social media: https://www.facebook.com/stmartinajc 
    • virtual Mass: Join Zoom Meeting (If you can, please furnish your own wine and unleavened bread)
      • https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88252558850?pwd=Dyz8SvIn0yGfVZr03hkypjhG5U83g5.1 
      • Meeting ID: 882 5255 8850
      • Passcode: 412470
      • Phone: +1 (301) 715-8592 ; 88252558850# ; 412470# 

In closing, I and the other clergy of the AJC in the Eastern Atlantic and Central regions of the United States look forward to you joining us this month.

Lastly, my humble thanks go to our Patriarch His Eminence Mar Johannas IV, His Grace Mar Thomas, His Excellency Mar Iacomus, all the remaining AJC bishops, fellow clergy, seminarians, the wider AJC Community, family, and friends for all their encouragement and support of my Formation Program and of Saint Martin’s Narthex.

Yours Before the Sacred Flame and Pax et Beneficia Vobis (Peace and Blessings to All of You)

Reverend Deacon Brad Rees
Narthex Leader
Saint Martin of Tours Narthex
Apostolic Johannite Church
Baltimore-DC-NoVA Area