JOHNSTOWN, PA --  The Diocesan Chancery is pleased to announce that the on-line Orthodox Bible Study Class, hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Warren, Ohio , will resume this coming Saturday, February 21, 2014 after a several week hiatus. The harsh winter weather caused water lines to burst which resulted in extensive water damage to the St. Nicholas Church complex and the internet broadcast system.    

This study, which is currently in its eighth week, is focusing on the Gospel of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John.  The class is led by Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, D. Min, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Christ the Saviour Seminary and Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio. The class takes place on Saturday evenings from 4:45 - 5:45 pm and is streamed live on the internet. 

 

The Gospel of St. John is being read and discussed within the context of the patristic mindset of the Church. Emphasis is placed on both the Gospel's historical context and application to contemporary life.

 

This year's course is the second in an ongoing series of Orthodox Scripture Studies. In the Spring of 2013, a large cadre of students, both on location at St. Nicholas Church and on-line completed an in-depth study of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

 

With the resumption of the class coming during the final week of preparation for Great Lent, all are cordially invited and encouraged to take part in the Bible study as part of their spiritual preparation for Pascha.  There is no charge to take part.

 

Do you attend Vespers on Saturday night and are unable to join the class live? Audio and video recordings of the lecture will be available on-line by the following Monday.

 

Learn more about the Scripture Study.

Watch the class live here (Saturday Evenings at 4:45pm)

Catch up to the class and view archived videos of previous lectures.  



Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)