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
2nd SUNDAY OF LENT, March 16, 2025
The second Sunday of Lent was appointed to commemorate Saint Gregory Palamas as a second “Triumph of Orthodoxy.”
Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was born in Constantinople in 1296. He was raised in the Emperor’s court and went to Mount Athos where he learned mental prayer–or “hesychasm”– and adopted the practice into his life.
He was called on to resist the influence of Barlaam, a Western monk who rejected the possibility of knowing the essence of God and mocked mental prayer as a heresy. He tried to spread his teaching to major cities around Greece and Constantinople. St. Gregory and Barlaam debated the issue at a council in Constantinople in 1341. The council accepted the position of St. Gregory, and the teachings of Barlaam were condemned as heresy.
Scripture readings: Hebrews 7:26-8:2; John 10:9-16; Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12.
Commemorated feasts and saints: St. Gregory Palamas. Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Lavra. Martyr Sabinas of Egypt (287). Martyr Papas of Lyconia (305-311). St. Serapion, Archbishop of Novgorod (1516). Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain (1st c.). Hieromartyr Alexander, Pope of Rome (119). Martyr Julian of Anazarbus (3rd c.). Hieromartyrs Trophimus and Thalus of Laodicea (ca. 300).
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.
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
- Wednesday, March 12 — Pan-Orthodox Presanctified Liturgy at St. George Antiochian Church (2101 NE 162nd Ave., Portland, Oregon) 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 14 — Presanctified Liturgy followed by potluck soup supper 6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15 — Pan-Orthodox Lenten retreat at St. Nicholas. Third and sixth hours and typika 9:15 a.m. Retreat begins at 10 a.m. Pan-Orthodox Great Vespers 5 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16 — Second Sunday of Lent (St. Gregory Palamas). Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 19 — Presanctified Liturgy 9:40 a.m.
- Friday, March 21 — Presanctified Liturgy followed by potluck soup supper 6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, March 23 — 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.