St. John: Forty liturgies before Nativity

In the rich tradition of our holy Orthodox Church, we know that the commemoration of the living and reposed faithful of the Church at the Prothesis before a Divine Liturgy is both powerfully beneficial for those remembered and pleasing to God. During the forty day fast preceding our Lord’s Nativity, there is a liturgical tradition of celebrating forty Liturgies in a row, starting on November 15th and ending with the Feast of Christmas, our Lord’s Nativity. The teaching of our Church has shown us through the experience of the Saints and faithful over centuries that this Forty Liturgy series not only spiritually helps a parish community, but it also benefits those commemorated at the Proskomide.

This year, as we have the last three year, we will be celebrating the “Serantoliturgo” or Forty Liturgies at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. Beginning on Tuesday, November 15th, the first day of the Nativity Fast, we will offer the Pre-Communion Prayers at 5:30 a.m. and at about 5:50 a.m. we will begin the Liturgy. Every Monday through Friday, except when a Liturgy is offered for Agia Sophia Academy, we will follow this schedule. This early schedule will help accommodate people’s work schedules. On Saturdays and holidays we will start Precommunion Prayers at 8:00 a.m. Please refer to the November calendar to see the schedule for ASA liturgies and the Thanksgiving holidays. Sunday services will follow our normal schedule.

For more information, visit the parish website.

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Parenting and Family Classes start Nov. 14th

Beginning November 14th St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church will begin a 15 week series of classes on parenting. Classes will meet on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a forty-mintue presentation followed by Q & A. Most of the classes with be taught and facilitated by Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Fr. Timothy Pavlatos. There will be some classes that will be lead by Presvytera Stacey and Presvytera Vicki and two classes will be taught by a specialist in child development. The final two classes will be panel discussion on the topic of Purity of Heart in our Times. Child care will be provided at the church during these one hour classes in order to accommodate our families. The first ten classes will take place before Great Lent begins, while the last five classes will be held after Pascha. We are very excited about this opportuinty and encourage all of you to participate.

Nov. 14, 2011**
Session One
: Overview of the program. Orthodox Theology of Marriage: Mission and Vision of an Orthodox Family

Nov. 21, 2011
Session Two
: Introduction to Family Systems Theory

Nov. 28, 2011
Session Three
: Parenting from the Inside Out

Dec. 12, 2011**
Session Four
: Marital and Parental Communication

Dec. 19, 2011
Session Five
: Early Childhood Development (Part 1)

Jan. 2, 2012
Session Six
: Early Childhood Development (Part 2)

Jan. 9, 2012**
Session Seven
: The Orthodox Christian Mission & Vision of our specific family

Jan. 23, 2012
Session Eight
: Asetic Distortions vs. Practical Healthy Spiritual Life

Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, 2012
Sessions Nine & Ten
: Families in Corporate Worship: The Salvation of our children

The following sessions will be scheduled after Pascha, which is April 15th:

Session Eleven: The Role of the Wife/Mother
Presvytera Stacey & Presvytera Vicki

Session Twelve: The Role of the Husband/Father
Fr. Theodore & Fr. Timothy

Session Thirteen: Healthy Sexuality: Modesty vs. Shame vs. Exploitation, Social Media & Parenting
Panel Discussion

Session Fourteen: Discipline of Children
Panel Discussion

** Classes on the second Monday of each month will be preceded by 5:45 p.m. Small Compline the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children

 

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Journey to Light: A Festival of Icons and Chant

Various Locations Throughout Portland: Including St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, the Hellenic – American Cultural Center and Museum, St. Clare Parish, St. Stephen's Church, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral,.

Journey to Light is an introduction to icons and chant designed to be interesting and meaningful to both the general public and the more serious academic, religious, artist, musician or student.

On the Journey, you will:

  • Learn from knowledgeable and engaging speakers casting light on the world of icon and chant
  • Listen to performances of Russian, Byzantine, and Latin polyphonic chant
  • View two unique exhibits: one of icons from the Pacific Northwest, the other about all things Byzantine
  • Tour the icons in local churches, with iconographers as your guide
  • Experience icons and chant as paths to the Divine
  • Fill your life with light and beauty

The Festival is presented in cooperation with Cappella Romana, Cantores in Ecclesia, the Iconographic Arts Institute, and the Trinity Iconography Institute at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. It is co-hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and St. Clare Parish.

For more information and to register go to www.journeytolightpdx.com.

Or contact: 503.244.1037 ext. 107; info@journeytolightpdx.com

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Intro To Orthodox Christianity in Salem on Nov 13th


While Eastern Orthodox Christian Spirituality may be a new discovery for some it has been a part of the lives of thousands of Orthodox Christians spanning the globe for centuries. The spiritual life for Orthodox Christian is a gradual process of healing and restoration which comes about through ascetic discipline, participation in the mystical life of the church and the grace of God. Please join us on November 13, 2011 for a unique opportunity to learn about this ancient yet everlasting practice of spiritual formation of the early church. This is an opportunity for all who attend to build on the knowledge that they may already have on this topic, or to begin learning for the first time about this ascetical and mystical path of Eastern Orthodox Spiritual Life.

Presented by Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Fr. Timothy Pavlatos of the Greek Orthodox Church.

More information at salemorthodoxchurch.org.

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St. Nicholas Faire at Church of the Annunciation

Dec. 4th 12:00-4:00 P.M. Church of the Annunciation

Join the youth of our congregation and the students of Annunciation Homeschool Enhancement in welcoming St. Nicholas to our church on Sunday, Dec. 4th, immediately following the Liturgy.

Our St. Nicholas Advent Faire will offer a story time, a Waldorf style puppet play, music, as well as an opportunity for children and adults to craft a variety of gifts for their loved ones. Such as:

  • Materials and instructions for crafting your own unique Advent wreath
  • Felt embroidery needle case
  • handmade bath salts
  • beeswax candle rolling
  • Learn the art of prayer rope knots and craft your own.
  • Wooden bird house building
  • A silent auction with lots of goodies and a collection of handmade gifts to purchase.
  • Open House for AHE…come check us out!

We will be serving a  delicious Lenten menu and wholesome Annunciation Hospitality to enrich your Advent experience.

All proceeds benefit Annunciation Youth Group and Annunciation Homeschool Enhancement (AHE)
For more information contact  Brigid Gerard @ 971-678-9550

Download the flyer

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A Saturday Retreat for all with Fr. Demetrios Carellas, Oct. 15th

The Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John The Honorable Forerunner, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan +GERASIMOS of San Francisco, would like to announce:

A Saturday Retreat for all with Fr. Demetrios Carellas:
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Fr. Demetrios will be speaking on:
Psalm 50: The Psalm of Repentance Par Excellence

Schedule (Saturday, October 15, 2011):

  • 10:00am Session 1 Introduction and Verse 1
  • 11:30am Session 2 Vs 2-5 (especially verse 5!)
  • 1:00pm Lunch (included)
  • 2:00pm Session 3 Vs 6 – ? (We will see how far we get…)
  • 3:15pm Clean up and visit the monastery
  • 6:00pm Great Vespers at the Monastery

The cost will be $20 for adults 18 and older; $35 for a family. You may pay when you arrive. But… please do not allow cost to deter you from coming!

The sessions will be held this year at the Monastery Guest House next to the Gift Shop.

Click below to download the flyer:

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8th Annual Greek Food Fest in Corvallis Oct. 15-16

Eat a day the Greek way! On Saturday, October 15 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, October 16 from 12pm-6pm St. Anne Orthodox Church will host the Mid-Valley’s eighth annual Greek Fest at historic Lewisburg Hall, 6000 NE Elliott Circle, Corvallis. The St. Anne Greek Fest is the only Greek Festival in the state outside of Portland. Proceeds from the event help pay for the renovation and maintenance of the historic Lewisburg Grange Hall.

Greek Fest will offer traditional Greek dinners, desserts, wine & spirits, crafts and Greek music and dancing. The menu includes chicken souvlaki, braised lamb with carrots and potatoes, pasticcio, spanakopita, mousaka, stuffed grape-leaves and tsatsiki. Complete dinners served with Greek salad, rice pilaf, hummus and pita bread will be offered for $13.00 per adult ($10 for senior citizens) and $8 per child. A la carte, to-go items and Greek desserts will also be available, and there will be a separate “taverna” tent serving appetizers, Greek red wine, beer, ouzo and retsina. Desserts will include baklava, kourambiethes (butter cookies), melamakorona (honey cakes), Greek wedding cakes and paximathia (anise studded Greek biscotti).

Visitors will be welcome to tour the Grange Hall and the Orthodox Christian chapel located on the second floor. Tours will be held every hour on the hour and will include an explanation of Orthodox iconography.

See the full the press release or download the flyer:

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2011 Fall Women’s Retreat

Friday, November 4th ~ Saturday, November 5th & Sunday, November 6th

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is pleased to offer this year, for the first time, a three day retreat that will include the opportunity to worship together in celebrating the Divine Liturgy! Our speaker will be Fr. Theodore Dorrance.

The retreat is being held at the beautiful Tilikum Retreat Center in Newberg, Oregon.

Cost: $120 which covers two nights lodging and 4 full meals. Register online.

Friday Night: Light snack and welcome
Saturday: Full day Retreat with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Sunday: Divine liturgy followed by closing meal

Download the flier

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A mission baptizes eight

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mat. 28:19)

One month ago, on the Feast of the Dormition (old calendar), eight people have been baptized and chrismated at Holy Apostles Orthodox mission church in Vacounver, WA! For a relatively small parish of less than 50 adult members this was certainly not a small event! Some amazing photographs have been published on their website.

May God grant many years to the newly illumined and their sponsors!

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2012 Pan-Orthodox Youth Winter Retreat!!!

2012 Pan-Orthodox Youth Winter Retreat!!! Martin Luther King Weekend, January 14-16, 2012. We are looking forward to seeing you and are planning a great weekend. The retreat will be held at Cedar Springs Camp (same camp as last year) near Snohomish, WA. Come see old and new friends, hang out, play games, challenge yourself on the ropes course, swing & Greek dance, and soak in spiritual truths. Registration packets and cost details will be arriving soon.

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