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
SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON, February 8, 2026
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: Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Afterfeast of the Meeting. Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates (“the General”—319). Prophet Zachariah (ca. 520 B.C.). St. Sava II, Archbishop of Serbia (1269).
Upcoming Event in Portland’s Orthodox Community
On Saturday, February 28, there will be a Pan-Orthodox celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, followed by a meeting with Stephen Christoforou about initiating a FOCUS center in Portland. This is the kick-off meeting, for Orthodox in and around Portland interested in helping get FOCUS. FOCUS aims to provide solutions to poverty in America. Vespers will be at 5 p.m., and the meeting will start a little after 6 p.m. Dinner will be served. Look for the flyer in the hall to RSVP.
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 beans in bags or cans 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.
Inquirers’ Class
Inquirers’ classes have begun. Due to the number of inquirers this year, we will meet in the church, Saturdays at 4 p.m. There will be no class Saturday, November 1, because Fr. John will be away.
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, February 4 — Akathist to St. Nicholas 6 p.m.
- Thursday, February 5 — Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, February 7 — Inquirers’ Class 4 p.m. Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, February 8 — Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, February 11 — Vespers 6 p.m.
- Thursday, February 12 — Hours 9:10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, February 14 — Inquirers’ Class 4 p.m. Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday February 15 — Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare Sunday). Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
See the online calendar for further details.