A parish of the Orthodox Church in America
A parish of the Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America, Portland, Oregon
This Weekend
11th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, August 16, 2026
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary: After the Ascension of the Lord, the Mother of God remained in the care of the Apostle John the Theologian, and during his journeys She lived at the home of his parents, near the Mount of Olives. She was a source of consolation and edification both for the Apostles and for all the believers.
During the persecution initiated by King Herod against the young Church of Christ (Acts 12:1-3), the Most Holy Virgin and the Apostle John the Theologian withdrew to Ephesus in the year 43. The circumstances of the Dormition of the Mother of God were known in the Orthodox Church from apostolic times. She spent her life in prayer.
At the time of her Dormition, she was in Jerusalem again. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and announced Her approaching departure from this life to eternal life.
At the appointed time the Apostles went to her and beheld Her lying upon the bed, filled with spiritual joy. The Disciples greeted Her, and then they told her how they had been carried miraculously from their places of preaching. The Most Holy Virgin Mary glorified God, because He had heard Her prayer and fulfilled Her heart’s desire, and She began speaking about Her imminent end.
At the third hour (9 a.m.), a number of candles were burning. The holy Disciples surrounded her bed, offering praise to God. She prayed in anticipation of Her demise and of the arrival of Her longed-for Son and Lord. Suddenly, the inexpressible Light of Divine Glory shone forth, before which the blazing candles paled in comparison. All who saw it took fright. Descending from Heaven was Christ, the King of Glory, surrounded by hosts of Angels and Archangels and other Heavenly Powers, together with the souls of the Forefathers and the Prophets, who had prophesied in ages past concerning the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
Seeing Her Son, the Mother of God exclaimed: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God My Savior, for He hath regarded the low estate of His Handmaiden” (Luke 1:46-48) and, rising from Her bed to meet the Lord, She bowed down to Him, and the Lord bid Her enter into Life Eternal. Without any bodily suffering, as though in a happy sleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave Her soul into the hands of Her Son and God.
Scripture readings: Colossians 1:12-18; Luke 9:51-56; 10:22-24; 1 Corinthians 9:2-12; Matthew 18:23-35
Commemorated feasts and saints: Afterfeast of the Dormition. Translation of the Image “Not-made-by-hands” of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople (944). (Third “Feast of the Savior in August”). Holy Unmercenary Physician Diomedes (298). Ven. Cherimon (Chæremon) of Egypt (4th c.). The “FEODOROVSKAYA” Icon of the Mother of God (1239).
Regular weekly schedule*
Saturday
6 p.m. Great Vespers
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Matins
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Confessions are heard after Great Vespers on Saturdays or by appointment during the week.
*This is the usual schedule; midweek services vary from week to week. Check the calendar for updates.
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 oatmeal or any nonperishable items.
We currently have a need in our parish for baby formula. There will be a bin labeled “Baby Formula” on the food rack in the parish hall for baby formula donations. The current need is for a brand called Bub’s Essential; it is in a purple and white can and is a formulation with iron and cow milk–based powder. We currently need only this type. There will also be a picture of the product posted on the bin.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Bible Study
Bible study every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
Confession
Confessions are heard after Great Vespers on Saturdays, or by appointment during the week. Please see the complete Calendar.
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
- Wednesday, August 12 — Akathist to St. Nicholas 6 p.m.
- Friday, August 14 — Vigil for the Feast of Dormition 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 15 — Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Most Holy Theotokos. Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by blessing of herbage 9:30 a.m. Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, August 16 — Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, August 19 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 20 — Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitsky. Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, August 22 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, August 23 — Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
See the online calendar for further details.