This Weekend
Holy Pascha, April 13, 2025
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the center of the Christian faith. Saint Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then our preaching and faith are in vain (I Cor. 15:14). Indeed, without the resurrection there would be no Christian preaching or faith. The disciples of Christ would have remained the broken and hopeless band which the Gospel of John describes as being in hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. They went nowhere and preached nothing until they met the risen Christ, the doors being shut (John 20: 19). Then they touched the wounds of the nails and the spear; they ate and drank with Him. The resurrection became the basis of everything they said and did (Acts 2-4): “. . . for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).
The resurrection reveals Jesus of Nazareth as not only the expected Messiah of Israel, but as the King and Lord of a new Jerusalem: a new heaven and a new earth.
Scripture readings:Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
Commemorated feasts and saints: HOLY PASCHA — THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. [Beginning of the Pentecostarion]. Ven. Theodore Trichinas (“the Hair-shirt Wearer”), Hermit, near Constantinople. Ven. Alexander, Abbot of Oshevensk (1479). Child-martyr Gabriel of Bialystok (1690). Ss. Gregory (593) and Anastasius the Sinaite (599), Patriarchs of Antioch. Ven. Anastasius, Abbot of Sinai (695).

Regular weekly schedule*
Saturday
6 p.m. Great Vespers
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Matins
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Thursday
9:10 a.m. Hours and Divine Liturgy
Confessions are heard after Great Vespers on Saturdays or by appointment during the week.
*This is the usual schedule. Check the calendar for changes.
Bible Study
Bible study every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
Church School
Church School for children 6–13 is now in session. Classes for middle- and high-school students meet the first three Sundays every month.
Charities
Continuous Food Drive. Supporting the Oregon Food Bank. Food can be dropped off on the brown shelves downstairs in the hall. This month’s food-drive theme is flour and sugar.
Diocesan Lenten Charity Appeal
His Eminence Archbishop BENJAMIN has designated the 2025 Lenten Appeal for the Diocese of Alaska and asked that all parishes of the Diocese of the West participate. For the last few years, we have been alternating between the Diocese of Alaska and the Diocese of Mexico in our Lenten Appeal. Their needs are very great.
For last year’s appeal, our parish raised around $15,000 for the Diocese of Mexico. Thank you for your generosity!
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Inquirers’ Class
Inquirers’ classes have begun. Speak with or email Fr. John if you’re interested.
Morning Prayer (Zoom)
Every weekday we offer a short (15- to 20-minute) morning prayer by Zoom. This is a great way to start the day together with fellow Orthodox Christians. We meet at 8:15 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join!
To join the meeting, please follow the link: Join Zoom Morning Prayer
Zoom Meeting ID: 850 3708 1187
Passcode: 009791
Russian Bible Study / Discussion Group (Zoom)
For Russian-speaking people, we offer a weekly evening Bible Study/Discussion Group Thursdays at 7 p.m. If you would like to participate in the group, please contact Dn. Igor Beskorovaynyy
Russian-Language Divine Liturgy
Russian-language Divine Liturgy happens the third Sunday of the month at Annunciation Church in Milwaukie. See the Annunciation Church calendar for detailed information.
Schedule Highlights
- Monday, April 14 — Holy Monday. Bridegroom Matins 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 15 — Holy Tuesday. Bridegroom Matins 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16 — Holy Wednesday. Bridegroom Matins 7 p.m.
- Thursday, April 17 — Holy Thursday. Vesperal Liturgy 10 a.m. Matins with 12 Passion Gospels 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 18 — Holy Friday. Royal Hours 8 a.m. Vespers (Taking Christ down from the Cross) 1 p.m. Matins with Procession of the Epitaphios 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 19 — Holy Saturday. Vesperal Liturgy 11 a.m. Resurrection (Pascha) Vigil 11 p.m.
- Sunday, April 20 — Great and Holy Pascha. Paschal Liturgy 12 a.m.; Agape Vespers 1 p.m. Pascha Picnic 2 p.m.
- Monday, April 21 — Bright Monday. Divine Liturgy 9:20 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 22 — Feast Day of St. George. Evening Orthros and Liturgy at St George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 2101 NE 162nd Ave., Portland
- Friday, April 25 — Bright Friday. Divine Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, April 26 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 — St. Thomas Sunday. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Confessions are heard after Great Vespers on Saturdays or by appointment during the week.
See the online calendar for further details.