My wife and I were driving around downtown Bethlehem, Pa on Saturday. We just moved out there and we were looking for a church. We happened upon a very old Russian Orthodox church. I can't remember the street it is on, but it is a narrow, quiet street. The domes were very weathered and the building itself was small and in a great bit of disrepair. There were a couple cars parked out front but I didn't see any people. It is not a OCA or ROCOR church. I believe the name was St. Nicholas. This little church fascinated me and I am hoping somebody can tell me something about it. It is in Bethlehem, about 1/2 mile south of the Lehigh River, not too far from route 378.

BTW, my wife and I found a couple beautiful churches we are planning on attending.

Columcille

That's the old church of the OCA St. Nicholas parish. They built a new church in the northern outskirts of the city, on Bridle Path Road. The old church was sold and is probably a private residence of some sort.

The new church is quite pretty, especially now with the interior iconography added to the gorgeous ikonostas.

St. Nicholas parish on the OCA site

St. Nicholas parish website

Thank you very much! I am familiar with the new church. It is about 2 miles from where I live, and I happened to pass it yesterday. It is a beautiful church from the outside. I was thinking on attending Vespers this Saturday to see the interior.

Dear Columcille,

So now you are "a-rushin'" to attend it?

Just to let you know I'm here observing you, Big Guy!

Alex

Alex-

Has not our Holy Father encouraged us to have more contact with our Eastern Brethren?

You are my guardian angel in cyberspace. Your protective gaze is comforting

Columcille

Dear Columcille,

Well then, consider me to be "winging it" in more ways than one . . .

Alex

Dear Columcille:


Fine with me for as long as your becoming "closer" to our Eastern brethren will not occasion a "doxing" redux.


Amado

Dear Amado,

I think Columcille already has "Doxed."

To the Tridentine Rite . . .

(Boy, did you walk into that one! ).

Alex

Dear Alex:

I did not foresee that I was setting the trap up for myself!

But, yes, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos must have included Columcille in his intentions last Saturday when His Eminence celebrated the Tridentine Mass, for the first time since Vatican II, at a major basilica in Rome.

Is this amazing or what?

Amado

Guys, guys...

Church architecture is something I enjoy. St. Nicholas happens to be a beautiful church. I would like to see the interior of such a temple.

I am not "re-doxing"

>>>But, yes, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos must have included Columcille in his intentions last Saturday when His Eminence celebrated the Tridentine Mass, for the first time since Vatican II, at a major basilica in Rome.<<<

This is great news. I pray G-D that the Tridentine Rite be safeguarded and that it continues to grow.

Give me some credit, most Tridentine Riters wouldn't dream of stepping foot into a "schismatic" Orthodox church

Columcille

Dear Columcille,

Now, now, I've already had my knuckles lightly rapped for being condescending.

Believe me, it isn't pleasant . . .

Alex

Oh Colum,

Come ON in , the waters fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Seraphim (who is seriously NOT suffering from convertitis!

Dear Brian S:

Look who is talking!

Again, please accept my sincere congratulations on your Chrismation last Saturday!

(I haven't heard under what/whose jurisdiction you joined.)

However, if you are having second thoughts. . .


Amado