This Weekend
SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON, February 16, 2025
The Sunday after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This parable of God’s forgiveness calls us to “come to ourselves” as did the prodigal son, to see ourselves as being “in a far country” far from the Father’s house, and to make the journey of return to God. We are given every assurance by the Master that our heavenly Father will receive us with joy and gladness. We must only “arise and go,” confessing our self-inflicted and sinful separation from that “home” where we truly belong (Luke 15:11-24).
Scripture readings:1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32
Commemorated feasts and saints: St. Nicholas, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Archbishop of Japan (1912). Martyrs Pamphilius—Presbyter, Valens—Deacon, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel, and Daniel, at Cæsarea in Palestine (307-309). St. Maruthas, Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia (422). Persian Martyrs in Martyropolis in Mesopotamia (4th c.).
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.
Church School
Church School for children 6–13 is now in session.
Charities
Continuous Food Drive. Supporting the Oregon Food Bank. Food can be dropped off on the brown shelves downstairs in the hall. The February theme is any boxed or canned desserts, such as cake mixes, frosting, pudding, pie filling.
The Charities Committee is sponsoring a collection of baby items for delivery to the Project Mexico—Casa Cuna Orphanage.
Donate to IOCC for hurricane relief and other needs.
Special Collection. We still have a basket out for donations for the Bacon family.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Lenten Retreat
Pan-Orthodox Lenten retreat at St. Nicholas, Saturday, March 15. The speaker will be Fr. Maximos Constas, speaking on the theme “The Philokalia and the Prayer of the Heart.”
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, February 10 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 11 — Hieromartyr Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste. Hours and Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, February 15 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, February 16 — Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, February 19 — Vespers 6 p.m.
- Thursday, February 20 — St. Leo, Bishop of Catania. Hours and Liturgyy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, February 22 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, February 23 — Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare). Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, February 26 — Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer 6 p.m.
- Thursday, February 27 — St. Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn. Hours and Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, March 1 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, March 2 — Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare). Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by Forgiveness Vespers 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.