St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Mission Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-14
Bulletin Contents
St Nectarios Weekly Bulletin
New Year Letter from Father John
Announcements
Service Calendar
Message from Father John
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
About Us

Organization Icon
St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Mission Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (509) 547-3968
  • Fax:
  • none / Facebook Group: "Saint Nectarios - Pasco"
  • Street Address:

  • 627 West Bonneville Street

  • Pasco, WA 99301
  • Mailing Address:

  • 627 West Bonneville Street

  • Pasco, WA 99301

Contact Information

Mrs Tamara G Droppo
Board President

[email protected] | 5093668745

Services Schedule

    Online DIVINE LITURGY - 10:00am

or

    In-church TYPICA Reader Service - 10:00am

Past Bulletins


St Nectarios Weekly Bulletin

(Updated 2/13/2025)

02/11/2025

Upcoming Services:

Saturday February 15th:

SATURDAY MORNING 10AM SERVICE CANCELED (due to weather)

 5:00PM Vespers online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

Sunday, February 16

10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Zoom / Facebook Online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

 

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Mission Church

Serving Tricity Orthodox Christians

627 West Bonneville St., Pasco, WA 99301 

All are welcome at St. Nectarios!

https://bulletinbuilder.org/stnectariospasco/


Announcements

2025 Calendars and Holy water bottles are now be available at the church.  Yes, the calendars finally arrived!

2024 saint Nectarios Donation letters were mailed in January. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Service Schedule:  The St Nectarios Bulletin lists the full schedule for our regular online and in church Services.

For information, questions, and appointments - call Jim/Tammy Droppo 5O9 366-8745 or send email to [email protected].

 


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New Year Letter from Father John

New Year Letter

January 31, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We pray that the New Year brings us peace, good health and prosperity in our daily life. We thank and praise God for all His blessings to us and our families.

We are currently having one in-church Divine liturgy every month with a visiting Orthodox Priest.  Each week, we are continuing to have virtual Services that may viewed on Facebook.  Our goal is to return to weekly Services.

We are a small Mission Parish, as you well know, and we need the support of all our Parishioners and Friends to meet the material and spiritual needs of our Parish. You have helped us in the past and we truly appreciate your generosity. We also count on you to help us financially continue our Church services to all our people in the present.

In addition, we count on your participation in the Divine Liturgy when a Priest is with us and celebrates the Divine liturgy for our spiritual needs. You are also invited to join us in our virtual services for the other Sundays of the month.

God bless you abundantly for your consideration and loving support. May St. Nectarios intercede for all of us. God bless you. 

Please consider formally supporting our Parish in 2025.  A donation form is included.  

We are most appreciative of your cooperation and support.

With love,

Fr. John P. Angelis

The Parish Council

 

A copy of the membership/donation form is available at the Church

and also on the St Nectarios Parish Website


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Announcements

Services

01/29/2025

2024 saint Nectarios Donation letters were mailed in January. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

2025 Calendars and Holy water bottles are now available at the church. Yes, the calendars finally arrived!
 
The St Nectarios Bulletin lists the schedule for all Services. The Bulletin will have any last-minute schedule changes.
 
For information, questions, and appointments - call Jim/Tammy Droppo 5O9 366-8745 or send email to [email protected]
https://bulletinbuilder.org/stnectariospasco/

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Service Calendar

  • Saint Nectarios

    February 15 to March 9, 2025

    Saturday, February 15

    10:00AM SERVICE CANCELED ON SATURDAY MORNING 10AM (due to weather)

    5:00PM Vespers online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Sunday, February 16

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Zoom / Facebook Online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Saturday, February 22

    5:00PM Vespers online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Sunday, February 23

    10:00AM Typica (in church) Reader Service + Fellowship

    Saturday, March 1

    5:00PM Vespers online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Sunday, March 2

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Zoom / Facebook Online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Friday, March 7

    7:00PM Online Akathist to St. Nectarios (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Saturday, March 8

    5:00PM Vespers online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

    Sunday, March 9

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Zoom / Facebook Online (Pacific Standard Time-USA)

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Message from Father John

 

 THE PRODIGAL SON AND THE LOVING FATHER

 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is the best known in the Bible.  With this parable, our Church continues the theme of sincere repentance, forgiveness and restoration, as she prepares us to enter the Great Lent Period.  All of us can identify with some of the themes  of this parable in our life. 

In today’s parable the younger son was the real rebel. He considered his loving family as a prison.  Although he had everything he needed, and the love of his father, he wanted to be independent, to do whatever it pleased him, without the loving restrictions of his father.  He demanded his share  of the family property; he turned it into cash and,  lauded, he left for a far away country, where no one knew him.  While he squandered  his money in “loose living,” he had many “free loader” friends.  But as soon as he ran out of money, everybody deserted him.  He was left alone, lonely and starving.  How many times we have seen this picture in our life! 

 The hungry prodigal applied for a job and he was given the lowest job in society—to take care pigs.  He was so hungry that he was eating the husks which the pigs ate.  In his want and miserable state he remembered his home: What he had, before he left his paternal home in rebellion.  Even the servants ate better and were treated kindly in his father’s home.  

 Reality taught him soberness  and he rediscovered his true self.    He  repented for his sinful actions and bad behavior.  He  made the decision to return to his father and ask his forgiveness.    He realized that he was no longer worthy to be called his son, after what he had done to him.  He will only ask his father to make him one of his servants; just to live and work in his house as a servant, like the other  servants.  At least he’ll have enough food to eat  and a place to stay.

  Let us now look at the father of the prodigal son.  He was waiting patiently  for his prodigal son to come to his senses and return.  When the father saw his son coming, he ran to meet him, while  he was still far away.  He tenderly embraced him, kissing him repeatedly.  The repented son began to apologize to his father on his knees.  But the father raised him up and told his servants  to dress him with the best robe; to put shoes on his bare feet and to wear a gold ring on his finger —the sign of his sonship— and to prepare a banquet  to celebrate  the return of his son.  For “my son was lost and he  is now found; he was dead in sin, and he is now alive,” in repentance.  

 This Gospel parable presents the rebellion, repentance and return of the prodigal son.  But the heart of the parable is the “love of the Father.”  The return of the son  had in it the taint of utilitarianism.  The  prodigal repented in his suffering and he returned to survive.  His positive side  was his repentance in humility and his decision to change and do the will of the father.   But the father’s love is pure and divine.  He loved His son always:  when he was with him; when he rebelled;  when he returned. 

 The parents are always ready to welcome  with love their erring sons and daughters who want to come home.   The parents have grown  themselves through the years to acquire the unselfish love of God.  They love their children with an unselfish love  and they want them to mature and come home; to return to God, Who is the Loving Father of the Parable. 

 

With love, Fr. John.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Saints and Feasts

February 14

Friday of Prodigal Son

February 14

Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain

This Saint, who was from the East, lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger. In 442 he enlisted in the Fourth Military Company of the Scholarii, that is, the Imperial Guard. Afterwards, he became a monk on a certain mountain in Bithynia (which later took his name), not far from Chalcedon. On becoming the archimandrite of the monastics gathered there, and proving himself to be most enduring in asceticism and most Orthodox in his faith, he reposed during the reign of the Emperor Leo the Great of Thrace, who reigned from 457 to 474.

February 14

Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles & Teacher of the Slavs

Saint Cyril was born in Thessaloniki in the early 9th century to pious parents. His family was one of only a few Byzantines in Thessaloniki at that time since it was largely populated by Slavs. Growing up in this situation, Cyril learned the Slavonic language, which later in life would serve him and the Church at large. He continued his education in Constantinople with his brother Methodios (see May 11th), each taking to their particular interests: Methodios in politics, and Cyril in philosophy and teaching.

The two brothers were approached in 850 by Saint Photios the Great (see February 6th) to lead a diplomatic mission to the Khazars, the people who inhabited the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Cyril and Methodios accepted this mission and departed to the North. After the success of this trip, the brothers lived for a time in a monastery on Mount Olympus where Methodios became a monk. At this time the brothers utilized their childhood Slavonic education to develop a written alphabet for the Slavonic language, which to this time had never existed. This alphabet became known as the Glagolithic Alphabet. On their own instigation, the brothers began translating the Gospels and liturgical service books into Slavonic.

Providentially, Cyril and Methodios were again called upon for a mission, this time to travel to Moravia to spread the Christian faith to King Rostislav (see May 11th) and his people. The brothers departed in 862, bringing with them their Slavonic alphabet and service books. After five years of service, the brothers made their way to Rome in 867 to have members of their company ordained to the priesthood to aid in the missionary journey. The group of missionaries celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Rome in the Slavonic language for the very first time with members of their party being ordained as they intended. While in Rome, Cyril fell deathly ill. He was tonsured a monk and died. His brother Methodios continued their missionary work, utilizing the Glagolthic Alphabet. Cyril and his brother Methodios are commemorated together on May 11th.

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Auxentios of the Mountain in the First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Auxentius, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Tone

The Offspring of Selyvria and Guardian of Aegina, the true friend of virtue who appeared in the last years. Oh Nectarios we faithful honor you as a godly servant of Christ! For you bring forth healings of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ who has glorified you, Glory to him who made you wondrous, glory to him who workest healings for all through you.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Apolytikion for Auxentios of the Mountain in the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Epistle Reading

    Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 98.9,1.
    Exalt the Lord our God.
    Verse: The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.

    The reading is from St. John's First Universal Letter 2:7-17.

    Brethren, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.

    Gospel Reading

    Friday of Prodigal Son
    The Reading is from Mark 14:3-9

    At that time, while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment thus wasted? For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." And they reproached her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."

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    About Us

    ST. NECTARIOS GREEK ORTHODOX MISSION CHURCH
    Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
    This Tri-Cities Christian Orthodox Community has a church located at 627 West Bonneville St., Pasco, WA 99301. All are invited to attend. A light lunch fellowship time normally follows the In-Church Liturgy and Typica Services.
    Prayers:  Please send us (or call us) with names of those you would like to be included in our prayers for healing.  Frist names may be entered in the St Nectarios - Pasco Group. 
    INFORMATION SOURCES
    For information on services and activities, you may:
    1) access our "Saint Nectarios - Pasco" Facebook Group:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/334558973222227/
    2) access the church website:
     (copy/paste this url) https://www.stnectariostricities.org/ for Welcome to Our Parish Website | St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Mission (stnectariostricities.org) 
    3)  The online  (copy/paste this url) ../../../../../stnectariospasco/ for Saint Nectarios Bulletin  is the best source of up to date) information on church Services and activities. ( http://bulletinbuilder.org/stnectariospasco/  )
    NOTIFICATIONS 
    To receive the weekly Services Reminder  by email, please send an email request.
    For those not connected to the internet,  please call Jim (on 5O9 366 8745) to request either
        a) by a phone call on the 'week of the in-church Service'
           or
        b) by a weekly smart-phone Service reminder text message.
    CHURCH SERVICES
    Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy.  Each month, we try to have at least one Divine Liturgy  (with a visiting Priest).  That Service is normally on a Saturday (or a Special Service/Feast weekday) and is scheduled when a Priest is available.  In addition to communion during the Service, private meetings with the Priest are available by appointment (for personal matters, planning future events, and Confession).
    Special Invitation - Saint Nectarios Church welcomes all: During Divine Liturgy, which is mostly in English, the Lord's Prayer is said by parishioners in their native languages.  Currently the prayer is normally said in English, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and Greek.  If you wish to participate (and perhaps add a language), just let us know.
    On most weeks, we remotely celebrate Saturday Vespers  and Sunday Online Divine Liturgy  with Father John in the Seattle area.  During the remote Divine Liturgy, Communion is served to Father's attending family and friends - but is unavailable to those participating online.
    Online Greek Orthodox Vespers and Other Special Services are normally celebrated online with Father John in Seattle.  The link for joining Zoom to actively participate in on-line Services is
    https://goarch.zoom.us/j/98009355049?pwd=UmttUUN2aG4raUc4WS9Zelo1REYxdz09
    On the last Sunday of each month, there normally is a Typica Reader Service  with a Parish Fellowship Time.  This in-Church Service is held as an opportunity to bring the local community together - and hopefully eventually returning St. Nectarios to having a full time Priest.
    All are welcome to join in the celebration these Christian Orthodox Services.

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    Coptic Church Services

    Tri-Cities Coptic Church Services
    Saint Mary and Saint Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church.    This Coptic Church is currently holding services at the St. Nectarios Church.  A Saturday or Sunday Holy Liturgy with a visiting Priest is normally held once per month either in the Tricities or in Spokane.  All are invited to attend. A fellowship time and Christian Study Class for older students normally follows the Services.  For more information, please contact Nader Samaan ([email protected]) or access the website: 
     (copy/paste this url) https://www.stmary-stabanoub-tricities.org/ for https://www.stmary-stabanoub-tricities.org/

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    Please help support our ministry.

    St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Mission Church  
    Donate to St Nectarios Online     
    https://bit.ly/30rPubP  
    Contact us
    Have Bulletin input? Have Suggestions/Questions?  Want Help or Information?
    Call Jim/Tammy Droppo, 5O9 366-8745.

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