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
6th SUNDAY OF PASCHA, May 17, 2026
The Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Blind Man is in Saint John’s Gospel (9:1-38): “As He passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth.” Christ’s disciples asked Him who had sinned, the blind man or his parents, that he had been born blind. Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be manifested in him” (John 9:3). It was thought that a person who had some affliction must have sinned (or his parents did) to deserve such punishment. In the Book of Exodus (20:5), God said that he would visit “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” This, however, applied to the sin of idolatry, if the children emulated their parents’ behavior.
The blind man was not born blind just so the miracle could be performed, but seeing the man in such a condition, the Lord decided to use him in a way that would manifest God’s glory. He Who is the Light of the world healed the blind man and enlightened him. Giving sight to the blind was one of the signs which would identify the Messiah (Matthew 11:4-6).
This manner of healing reminds us of the way God created man by fashioning him from the dust of the earth. In the Old Testament God created man from the dust of the earth, now Christ, the same God, fashions eyes from the clay and places them in the blind man’s empty sockets. At the Oikos of Matins: “He receives physical eyes as well as those of the soul.”
Scripture readings: Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38
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 canned meat or any nonperishable items.
The Charities Committee is sponsoring an online donation drive to Casa Cuna Orphanage in Mexico. Click this link to go to the Amazon Donation webpage to donate. Cash donations are also being accepted. For cash or check donation, make the check payable to St. Nicholas, marked a note “Casa Cuna Orphanage.” Fr. John will purchase items through Amazon at the end of the drive. For questions see Cheri Wilson or Matushka Eva.
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, May 13 — Akathist to St. Nicholas 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 14 — Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, May 16 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 17 — Sunday of the Blind Man. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, May 20 — Vigil for the Feast of Ascension 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 21 — Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, May 23 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24 — Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
See the online calendar for further details.