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
23rd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, November 16, 2025
The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, was also named Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he was one of the Twelve Apostles (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:45; Acts 1:13), and was brother of the Apostle James Alphaeus (Mark 2:14). He was a publican, or tax-collector for Rome, in a time when the Jews were under the rule of the Roman Empire. He lived in the Galilean city of Capernaum. After Pentecost, Saint Matthew preached in Palestine for several years. At the request of the Jewish converts at Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew wrote his Gospel describing the earthly life of the Savior, before leaving to preach the Gospel in Syria, Media, Persia, Parthia, and finishing his preaching in Ethiopia with a martyr’s death.
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 boxed cereal 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.
Coat Drive, benefiting Transition Projects Portland, October 19 through November 12. The coat drive can include other warm clothing such as socks, gloves, scarves, sweaters, hats. Everything should be in good condition, like new or new.
Angel Tree, November 23 through December 7, provides gifts for children in need at Christmas. Annette Bacon is the coordinator.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Bible Study
Bible study every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. No Bible study November 11.
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, November 12 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Thursday, November 13 — St. John Chrysostom. Hours and Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, November 15 — Nativity Fast begins. Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, November 16 — Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 19 — Akathist to the Theotokos 6 p.m.
- Thursday, November 20 — Vigil for the Entrance of the Theotokos 6 p.m.
- Friday, November 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. Hours and Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, November 22 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, November 23 — St. Alexander Nevsky. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 26 — Molieben for Thanksgiving 7 p.m.
- Thursday, November 27 — Thanksgiving Day. Hours and Liturgy 9:10 a.m.
- Saturday, November 29 — Great Vespers 6 p.m.
- Sunday, November 30 — St. Sebastian Dabovich of San Francisco. Matins 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
See the online calendar for further details.