Our new website is now up and running, with much more coming soon.  The monthly calendar can be found by clicking "Service Schedule" above.  Links to our photo album and YouTube channel can be found under Photos and Videos.

Please check back for future updates!

Our parish has been given the blessing by His Eminence, Archbishop MARK to reopen for services beginning on Sunday, June 7 for the Feast of Pentecost.

Rules, limitations, and guidelines have been set and should be read PRIOR TO ATTENDING by clicking HERE.

Please contact Fr. Vladimir at 570-489-3891 or at wfetcho@comcast.net by THURSDAY prior to the Liturgy to be placed on the attendance list.

It is important that these rules are followed to protect yourself and others and any questions should be directed to Father Vladimir or any Church Committee member.

Live Streaming will continue to be offered for those who cannot or wish to not attend at this time.

We are now on Facebook!  This page was created as a means to hopefully resolve some of the issues with our Live Stream.  

You can access the page by clicking HERE.  You do NOT need to be a member of Facebook to access this page!

His Eminence, Archbishop MARK has released a message entitled: CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION - THE PROCESS TO OPEN OUR PARISHES.

The Diocese is wanting to get an idea of where we are as a Parish, so members of St. Nicholas Church please fill out the survey.  It can be done on the www.doepa.org website interactively or print and mail the survey below.  If you complete the survey online, please call Fr. Vladimir at 570-489-3891 for the password.

Survey Cover Letter from Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Martin Browne

Survey

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod

Directives from the Holy Synod

If any man be devout and loveth God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast! If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.

If any have laboured long in fasting, let him how receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.

For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour, will accept the last even as the first. He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.

And He showeth mercy upon the last, and careth for the first; And to the one He giveth, and upon the other He bestoweth gifts. And He both accepteth the deeds, and welcometh the intention, and honoureth the acts and praises the offering.

Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; Receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival! You sober and you heedless, honour the day! Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away. Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.

Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.

By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions.

It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns! Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Coronavirus Resources - includes helpful information on Live Streaming parishes, info for celebrating Holy Week and Pascha at home, and directives from the OCA Synod of Bishops and Archbishop MARK

Some Thoughts on the Crisis and the Call of the Corona Virus:  A Reflection by His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda

Updated 4/2/2020 - Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak, there will be no services in our church until further notice.  Please stay safe and healthy.

Read the Holy Synod's and Archbishop Mark's updated directives here.

Download the Reader’s Service of Prayer for Protection from the Coronavirus

Link to Orthodox Churches with Live Streaming Services

Dear Parishioners

We hope that this note finds you in good health. We know that these times are very trying times in the world, in our country and in our homes. It is affecting our lives as never before . We must first of all turn to God keeping Him before us at all times. Archbishop Mark has ordered all churches in this diocese to close until further notice.

Without services in the church we should dedicate more of our time during the day to our prayer life and reading the Bible. We should remember our fellow parishioners, family, friends and neighbors in our prayers .

We also should also remember our parish. Our obligations, commitments and expenses continue regardless of the current Coronavirus crisis in our Nation and community. So, if you are able it would be greatly appreciated if you can continue with your donations to our parish. They can be sent to the St. Nicholas Church, 305 Gravity Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447.

If you need anything or have any questions, please free to contact Father Vladimir at 570-489-3891.For your information we have a Reader’s Service of Prayer for Protection from the Coronavirus available for download at the top of this letter. May the Blessings of our Lord be upon each and everyone. May His protection be upon us granting us good health and many years.

In Christ,

Fr. Vladimir, Fr. John and the Church Committee.

PS. There are several parishes in our diocese that will be streaming Liturgy Sunday, they are the following: Holy Trinity, Wilkes-Barre, Holy Cross, Williamsport, St. Stephen Cathedral, Philadelphia, St. Mark, Wrightstown and St. Nicholas, Bethlehem. You can find their web sites at the dioceses site doepa.org.

Troparion to St. Nicholas, Tone 4

The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith,

an icon of meekness and a teacher of abstinence;

  You thus reached the heights through humility and wealth through poverty;

 O Holy Hierarch Father Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Click here to view new photo gallery (Shutterfly)

Click here to view archived photos (Google)