/page/4/ St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Portland, OR
Address: [Click for Directions]
2210 S.W. Dolph Court
Portland, OR  97219

Phone: (503) 245-2403 		Regular Weekly Services: [Check the Calendar]
Sunday: 8:30AM - Matins, 9:30AM - Liturgy
Tuesday: 6:00PM - Vespers
Thursday: 6:00PM - Vespers
Saturday: 6:00PM - Vespers
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January 10th, 2010 - Announcements for January 10 – 16

Today:  8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy; Classes; Brunch; Mt. Athos Presentation; House Blessings

Monday:  7:15 pm Church History Class

Tuesday:  6:00 pm Vespers & Quietude

Thursday:  6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Choir

Saturday:  House Blessings; 5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday:  8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy; Classes; Brunch; Parish Council Meeting; House Blessings

Friday, January 29 @ 7:00 pm: IOCC Benefit Concert & Reception at Holy Trinity.  Info: iocc.portland@gmail.com — Pre-purchase tickets: www.iocc.org/portland (Tickets are also being sold in the parish hall every Sunday during Brunch.)

Sunday, January 31:  Annual Parish Meeting — Agenda: Roll, Minutes from last year; Reports, Election of the Parish Council Class of 2013; Old Business; New Business; Adjournment

Please turn in all HUGS and IOCC Offering Boxes this week.  We would like to get these donations to the beneficiaries in a timely manner.

Liturgical Calendars for 2010 are available following Liturgy today.  Offering Envelopes for 2010 are available in the Hall.  If you picked your calendar up last Sunday, please do not take a second calendar until all families have at least one.  Thanks.

January 3rd, 2010 - Announcements for January 3 – 9

Today: Matins, Liturgy, Brunch, Parish Council

Tuesday:  6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Waters (Twelfth Night / Theophany)

Wednesday:  6:00 am Divine Liturgy

Thursday:  6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Choir

Saturday:  5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday:  8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy; Classes, Mt. Athos Pilgrimage Presentation; Brunch

House Blessing Sign-up is on the white board in the parish hall.

Any IOCC boxes and HUGS that you have yet to bring to church will be gladly received.  We would like to close these projects down by Theophany.  Thanks.

Should the weather ever be threatening-enough to warrant a cancellation of divine services or events at church, please check this website for the latest announcements.

December 24th, 2009 - The Winter Pascha / Nativity of Christ

tree of jesse

Christ is born, glorify him!
Christ from heaven, go out to meet him!
Christ on earth, be exalted!
Sing to the Lord all the whole earth!

And that I may join both in one word, let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, for him who is of heaven and then of earth.

Christ in the flesh, rejoice with trembling and with joy; with trembling because of your sins, with joy because of your hope.

Christ of a Virgin; matrons live as virgins, that you may be mothers of Christ.

Who does not worship Him who is from the beginning?
Who does not glorify Him who is the last?

(The introduction to St. Gregory the Theologian’s 38th Theological Oration on The Winter Pascha, ca., A.D. 380 — This text is the basis of the Canon at Matins for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.)
www.orthodoxa.org/GB/orthodoxy/patrology/gregoiredenazianzenoelGB.htm

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Ua hanau ‘ia ‘o Kristo!
E ho’onani ia Ia!

12/24: Nativity Eve — 4:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy; 11:30 pm Nativity Vigil

12/25: Nativity — 12:00 am (midnight) Festal Divine Liturgy & Carols

12/26: Synaxis of the Theotokos — 6:00 pm Vespers

12/27: Sunday of the Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, King David & James the Brother of the Lord — 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 Divine Liturgy & Pot-Luck Brunch

12/29 (Tuesday): Holy Innocents — 6:00 pm Vespers

12/31 (Thursday): Leave-Taking of The Nativity — 6:00 pm Vespers & Molieben for the New Year

1/2 (Saturday): Pre-Feast of the Theophany — Vespers & Panikhida

1/3 (Sunday): Pre-Feast of the Theophany; Prophet Malachi; St. Genevieve — 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy; Brunch

December 20th, 2009 - Announcements for December 20 – 26

Sixth Sunday of the Nativity Fast
Sunday of the Genealogy of Christ

O come, Desire of nations, bind,
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Ancestors Kontakion, Tone 1 — Rejoice, O Bethlehem, prepare yourself, O Ephratha! The lamb is on her way to give birth to the chief Shepherd she carries in her womb. The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him, and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin who nutures Him.

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Today: Matins, Liturgy, Brunch, Classes

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers, Confessions & Quietude

Wednesday: 7:00 pm Compline

Thursday (Christmas Eve) 4:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy; 11:30 pm Nativity Vigil

Friday (Christmas) 12:00 am (midnight) Festal Divine Liturgy

Saturday: 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy, Pot-Luck Brunch

December 13th, 2009 - Announcements for December 13 – 19

Fifth Sunday of the Nativity Fast
St. Herman of Alaska

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

• Forefathers Troparion, Tone 2 — Through faith You justified the forefathers, betrothing through them the Church of the Gentiles. These saints exult in glory, for from their seed came forth a noble fruit: She who bore You without seed. By their entreaties, O Christ God, save us all.

• St. Herman Troparion, Tone 4 — O blessed Father Herman of Alaska, North star of Christ’s holy Church, the light of your holy life and great deeds guides those who follow the Orthodox way. Together we lift high the Holy Cross you planted firmly in America. Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ, Singing his holy Resurrection.

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Today: Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Brunch (Fish, Wine & Oil allowed today (S. Herman)

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Quietude

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Choir

Saturday: 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes, Brunch

December 6th, 2009 - Announcements for 12/6 – 12/12

Fourth Sunday of the Nativity Fast
St Nicholas the Wonderworker

O come, thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

• St. Nicholas Kontakion, Tone 3 — You proved yourself to be a holy priest, O Nicholas; You served God in Myra and lived the Gospel of Christ. You offered your life for your people; You rescued the innocent from death. Therefore God has glorified you as a trustworthy guide of things divine.

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Today: Matins, Divine Liturgy, Festal Brunch

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Quietude

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Choir

Saturday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Friday Fellowship

Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy, Classes & Brunch (Fish, Wine & Oil allowed next Sunday for St. Herman Feast)

November 29th, 2009 - Advent Retreat 12/4 – 12/5

Living Spiritually in a Chaotic World
Discovering Prayer at the Heart of Daily Life

What:
An Advent Retreat

Who:
With Fr. Christopher (Savage)
monk of New Skete Monastery, Cambridge, New York

Where:
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
2210 S.W. Dolph Court / www.stnicholaspdx.org

When:
Friday, December 4th at 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Saturday, December 5th from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

Cost:
Suggested donation: $10 (includes Lenten lunch)

We will investigate the chaos that is part of human experience from the very beginning, but which has the possibility of being used creatively in a manner that transforms. A truly contemplative spirituality will have to deal with that, regardless whether one is a monk or a lay person. Biblical themes, patristic wisdom and iconography will be used to explore the topic, with an introduction to formal practices that help provide a practical understanding of unceasing prayer.

fr. christopher

November 29th, 2009 - Anouncements for 11/29 – 12/5

Third Sunday of The Nativity Fast

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty, and awe.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust Thy mighty power to save
And give them victory o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

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Today: Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Pot-Luck Brunch; Presentation — “Mt. Athos, A Personal Journey”

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers, Quietude & Confessions

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Choir

Friday: 7:00 pm Advent Retreat w/ Fr. Christopher from New Skete — “A Rule of Prayer, Reading and Quietude”

Saturday: 9:30 am Advent Retreat Continues; 6:00 pm Vespers, Litia & Reception

Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy & Festal Brunch

We will have special receptacles for HUGS beginning next Sunday. Hats, undies, gloves and socks for those in need will be collected through Christmas weekend.

November 15th, 2009 - Announcements for November 15-21

First Sunday of The Nativity Fast

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily,
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

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The Nativity Fast begins today, in preparation for witnessing the Incarnation of the Lord. Fr. Thomas Hopko has a good overview of the whole Nativity season on Ancient Faith Radio: http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hopko/the_nativity_fast

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Today: Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Brunch, BP Screening; 2:00 pm IOCC Metro Committee; 3:00 pm St. Francis Dining Hall (IOCC Advent offering boxes will be available after Liturgy today.)

Monday: 7:15 pm Church History Class

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Advent Quietude

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Choir

Friday: 6:00 pm Festal Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Entrance of the Theotokos)

Saturday: 5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday: 8:45 am Baptism; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes, Brunch, Parish Council

Looking Ahead:
Wednesday 11/25: 7:00 pm Akathist of Thanksgiving

Thursday, 11/26: 9:30 am Thanksgiving Day Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 11/28 9:00 am Parish-Wide Work Party

Sunday, 11/29 Following Liturgy: Presentation — “Mt. Athos, A Personal Journey”

Friday & Saturday, 12/4 & 5: Advent Retreat w/ Fr. Christopher from New Skete — “A Rule of Prayer, Reading and Quietude”

Saturday: 12/5: 6:00 pm St. Nicholas Festal Vespers & Reception

Sunday: 12/6: St. Nicholas Festal Divine Liturgy & Brunch
(HUGS Christmas Collection begins)

November 8th, 2009 - Announcements for November 8-14

Today: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes & Special IOCC Benefit Italian Luncheon

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Choir

Saturday: 5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Friday Fellowship

Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes & Brunch

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The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael (Who is Like God?) and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel (The Man of God), Raphael (The Healing of God), Uriel (The Fire of God), Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel (the names of the latter four are not found in the Bible) was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met mid-4th century. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration. They are mentioned over 250 times in the Bible.

…And of all things, visible and invisible… (Nicene Symbol of Faith) The Bodiless Powers of Heaven (and Below) are spiritual but not supernatural. God alone is super-natural. Angelic (and Demonic) Powers are part of creation and therefore of nature, i.e., “natural.”

The Choirs of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven (According to Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite):

First Choir which has no direct dealings with humans, but are absorbed in unending love and adoration of God:
Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2-6)
Cherubim (Ezekiel 1:10)
Thrones (Colossians 1:16)

Second Choir (which are described as stewards and governors of space, stars, planets):
Dominions (Ephesians 1:21)
Virtues /Authorities (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Powers (Ephesians (1:21)

Third Choir (which have at least some level of interaction with humans and animals):
Principalities (Romans 8:38 & Ephesians 1:21)
Archangels (1 Thessalonians 4:16 & Jude 9)
Angels (passim throughout the Bible)

St. John of Damascus wrote that the angels are intelligent essences in perpetual motion, bodiless, ministering to God, immortal in nature, endowed with free will, having power either to abide or to progress in goodness or to turn towards evil. (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book 2)

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