On Wednesday, December 17, a luncheon was held in Chernay Fellowship Hall to honor the dedicated pierogi workers.  A catered lunch was served with new England Clam chowder, Salad, Filled Pasta Shells, Shrimp Scampi, Baked Mushrooms and small roasted crab cakes. Beautiful cakes made by Jean were dessert. After a blessing by Fr. Nikolai, everyone enjoyed the lunch.  

The pierogi project makes donations to:  cleaning of vestments, maintenance repairs, purchase of new kitchen equipment, St. Tikhon’s Century Association, and Northampton Children’s Bureau, to mention a few.  Pierogi making continues to be a valuable church project and resource that aids the church and benefits others in our community.

May God grant many blessed, healthy years to all our workers, and to all who support the pierogi project.  We pray that St. Euphrosini, the patron saint of cooks, will continue to guide our hands as we peel, cut, roll, pinch, boil, pack and sell our pierogis.

On Sunday, December 14, the choir at St. Nicholas presented its Annual Christmas Choir Concert.  Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge introduced the songs with a brief history.  Under the direction of our distinguished Choir Director/Reader Nick Lezinsky, the choir sang beautiful songs of the Nativity and other seasonal ethnic Christmas carols.  The choir concert showcases our talented choir and draws many visitors from the surrounding Orthodox churches and communities. 

After the concert, everyone was invited to Chernay Hall for coffee, cake and Christian fellowship.

Christ is Born!   Glorify Him!

On Saturday, December 13th, St. Nicholas held its Annual Christmas bazaar.  Delicious ethnic foods and home-made baked goods were served.  Local crafters, artists, and merchants provided gifts for sale.  There was also a tricky-tray basket raffle, and our own Treasures of Russia offered a variety of icons, matryoshka dolls, angels, ornaments, and other Russian crafts.

Fr. Nikolai also gave tours of the church to visitors who requested it. 

The event is always well attended, by both church members and the local community. 

The Bazaar’s success would not have been possible without the volunteers’ time and efforts. 

Thank you to all who volunteered!

On Sunday, December 7th, an extended coffee hour was held in Chernay Fellowship Hall, where the Annual Yolka was held, presented by the Sunday school students.  This year, the talents of the students were displayed for all to see.  The program, with performances from lower grade students, middle grade students and senior students, recited Christmas verses, individual musical performances and group singing.

The school students’ talents were so good, that St. Nicholas appeared and gave all the students, staff and all present Christmas gifts.

“Christ is Born!   Glorify Him!”

On Sunday, August 17, we were blessed to have the Divine Liturgy celebrated by his Eminence Archbishop Mark and Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge, assisted by Deacon Geoffrey LoBalbo.  During the Liturgy, Archbishop Mark tonsured one of our members, John Heitzenrater as a reader.

We wish our new reader “Many Blessed Years” at St. Nicholas.

On Friday August 15^th, St. Nicholas celebrated the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos and the Blessing of the Flowers with a Divine Liturgy.

The fragrance of the flowers, with the Divine Liturgy of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, filled the hearts and souls of every member present.

Wednesday August 6^th, St. Nicholas celebrated the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Blessing of Fruit with a Divine Liturgy.  This beautiful and colorful service is a feast for the eyes and nourishment for the body with communion for the soul.

A halupki dinner was served at St. Nicholas which included: 2 halupkis, 2 pierogis, fresh green beans, roll, homemade dessert and complimentary coffee & tea.  The dinner was both available as eat-in or take-out.

This dinner is widely enjoyed and attended by the surrounding community, as well as the faithful of St. Nicholas.

A BIG thank you goes to all of the church members and volunteers who make this dinner possible, popular and successful.

May God Bless all of the volunteers, and those who supported this Fund Raiser!

Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge, rector, administered a Blessing of the Vehicles after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 20.   Reader/Choir Director, Nick Lezinsky, and choir members sang as Fr. Nikolai blessed the vehicles.  It was a beautiful, hot, sunny Sunday, and the faithful of St. Nicholas stood by their vehicles as they waited for this Annual Blessing.

May Parishioners enjoy many blessed, safe miles in their vehicles!

Saint Nicholas has lost a dedicated family. The Hodson family is moving to warmer weather in Florida.  The entire family served St. Nicholas in different capacities.  Carmen helped at various church activities and was also Archbishop Mark’s personal secretary, while Moses helped church with clean-up projects and served on church council.  Their two boys, Alex and Chris were faithful Altar Servers. The Hodson’s dedication to serving the church was very helpful and will be dearly missed.  While talking to Carmen, she commented, “St. Nicholas was like her second family”.

May God Bless their new life in Florida, and may Our Lord also Bless them with “Many Years!”.

We want to thank Karen for her many years of devoted service as the Director of the Sunday School Program here at St. Nicholas. Her leadership, dedication, and faith have helped shape the spiritual growth of our parish children. We thank her for her love, guidance, and dedication. We are truly grateful for her commitment and heartfelt work.

May God bless her always as she continues to serve the Orthodox Church, and specifically, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church!

With love in Christ, Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge, and the entire St. Nicholas Community

On Sunday, June 1, Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge presented achievement awards to several Heavenly Hosts participants.

Heavenly Host is a structured program based on the Angelic Ranks, providing age-appropriate activities for 8- to 18- year olds. It is intended to provide Orthodox Youth a foundation of Orthodox Christian Knowledge and experience so that they can passionately and intelligently “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” for our Lord God, and Savior Jesus Christ! (Matthew 28:19).  

Achievement Awards presented today were:

Everett Brown - Gospels Elective

Lydia Brown - Gospels Elective

Lydia Bzik – Psalms I Elective, Psalms II Elective, Psalms III Elective, Principalities Rank

Nicholas Bzik – Gospels Elective, Psalms I Elective, Psalms II Elective, Psalms III Elective, Principalities Rank

Charles Heitzenrater – Psalms I Elective, Archangel Rank

Charlotte Heitzenrater – Psalms I Elective, Archangel Rank

 Thomas Heitzenrater – Gospels Elective, Psalms I Elective, Archangel Rank

Alexander Hodson – Angels Elective, Paschal Season Elective, Psalms I Elective, Psalms II Elective, Psalms III Elective, Principalities Rank

Christopher Hodson – Angels Elective, Paschal Season Elective, Psalms I Elective, Psalms II Elective, Psalms III Elective, Principalities Rank

Aurora Mascari – Paschal Season Elective, Principalities Rank

Joseph Mascari IV – Paschal Season Elective, Principalities Rank

Fr. Nikolai Blessed graves of members at Union Cemetery in Hellertown, on St. Thomas Sunday.

“CHRIST IS RISEN! ……….. INDEED HE IS RISEN!”

On April 21, Bright Monday Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Nickolai Breckenridge, rector, assisted by Mitered Archpriest Fr. James Mason, and guest priest, Fr. Michael Kon.  Archbishop Mark honored St. Nicholas with an arch pastoral visit.  After Divine Liturgy, the church was blessed inside and outside, and included the reading of 4 Gospels.

The liturgy and blessing was followed by the annual hot dog luncheon in Chernay Fellowship Hall, in celebration of the end of Lent.

“CHRIST IS RISEN! ……….. INDEED HE IS RISEN!”

On Friday, Aptil 18, Fr. Nikolai, assisted by Mitered Archpriest James Mason, led the parishioners in Good Friday’s, Burial Vespers.  For Burial Vespers Christ was taken down from the Cross.

We wait with anticipation our Lord and Savior’s Resurrection.

On Wednesday, April 16th, Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge, rector, assisted by Mitered Archpriest Fr. James Mason, administered Holy Unction to the parishioners of St. Nicholas.  This healing service is one of the Sacraments (Holy Mysteries) of the church in which Orthodox Christians are anointed for the healing of soul and body.

This service is always well attended by the members of St. Nicholas during Holy Week.

Glory Be To God!

On Lazarus Saturday, April 12, after Divine Liturgy, the Sunday school students and teachers prepared pussy willows and palm leafs for distribution to the parish.  The willows and palms were blessed by Fr. Nikolai at Evening Vespers.

On Palm Sunday, April 13, before Divine Liturgy, the willows and palms were handed out to the faithful of the parish.  Many parishioners’ chose to hold the willows and palms throughout the service.

As we start Holy Week, we wait, with great anticipation, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

On Sunday, March 30, Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge administered the oath of office to members of St. Nicholas church council and to the church auditors.  The church members were elected to their positions at our annual parish meeting.

After the oath was administered, Fr. Nikolai blessed each elected member with holy water.

May God grant the newly elected members spiritual guidance, as they fulfill their commitment and dedication to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.

May God grant council members, “Many Blessed Years”.

On Sunday, February 2^nd, following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge presented the Chi Rho Scouting medal to Jacob Lezinsky.  The Chi Rho is the second of four youth religious awards available in Scouting, and encompasses three aspects of a scout’s life: About Me, My Home and Community, and My Church.  Jacob had previously earned the first of the religious awards, the St. George Award.  Jacob worked closely with his parents: Matthew and Lori, to complete the requirements.  Jacob is a member of Pack 368 in Bethlehem, PA and an active member and Altar Server of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.

May God Grant Jacob Lezinsky Many Years!