
Greetings! Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church is the R.O.C.O.R. parish for the greater Springfield and Western MA and Northern Connecticut area since c.1952 under the authority, blessing, and protection of His Emminence NICHOLAS, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.
Our services are primarily in English with some Church Slavonic. We follow the Julian Calendar liturgically as is the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. Our parishioners come from throughout the Pioneer Valley & northern Connecticut. Visitors are always welcome—please have a glance at our schedule of services and come visit St. Nicholas Orthodox Church now located just over the Massachusetts border in Enfield, CT.

Saturday Vigil 6:00pm
Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Hours 9:10 am,
Holy Communion preparatory prayers 8:30am
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* unless otherwise announced
Vigil 6:30 pm Great Vespers with Litia, Matins, First Hour
Divine Liturgy 7:00am,Third & Sixth Hours at 6:40am
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Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
Vigil Sunday 12/3 12:30pm
Divinine Liturgy Monday 12/4 7:00am


1. The Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Mother of God.
When the most holy Virgin Mary had reached the age of three, her parents, holy Joachim and Anna, took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem, to give her to the service of God in fulfillment of their promise. It was three days journey to Jerusalem, but, going as they were on God's work, they did not find the journey difficult. Many of Joachim and Anna's kinsmen gathered to take part in this celebration, in which the invisible angels of God also took part. Maidens went ahead with lighted candles in their hands, followed by the most holy Virgin, led on either side by her father and mother. The Virgin was clad in royal and beautiful garments, like those of the 'king's daughter', the Bride of God (Ps. 44:9,10). Behind them walked many of their kinsfolk and friends, all bearing lighted candles. There were fifteen steps leading to the Temple. Her parents stood the Virgin on the first step, and she ran quickly to the top on her own, where the High Priest, Zacharias, the father of St John the Forerunner, met her and, taking her by the hand, led her not only into the Temple but into the Holy of Holies, the holiest place of all, into which none could enter except the High Priest, and that once a year. St Theophylact of Ochrid says that Zacharias was ,out of himself, and moved by God' when he led the Virgin into the chief place in the Temple, beyond the second curtain - otherwise there could be no explanation of his action. Her parents then offered sacrifices to God, according to the Law, received the priest's blessing and returned home, leaving the most holy Virgin in the Temple. She dwelt in the Temple for nine whole years. While her parents were alive, they visited her often. When they departed this life, the holy Virgin was left an orphan, and longed to remain in the Temple for the rest of her days, without entering into marriage. This being contrary both to the Law and Israelite custom, she was confided at the age of twelve to St Joseph, a kinsman of hers in Nazareth, so that she might, under the protection of betrothal, live in virginity and thus fulfil both her desire and the demands of the Law, for it was unknown in Israel at that time for a girl to vow perpetual virginity. The holy Virgin Mary was the first to do this, and was later followed by thousands upon thousands of virgin men and women in the Church of Christ.


Restricted Fund: Formal entry porch with Cross, Cupola at main entry doors leading to parking lot.

Evening Prayers - Audio - Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville Prayer Book |
Jordanville Readings - Daily Audio Readings - Holy Trinity Monastery |
Morning Prayers, - Audio - Holy Trinity Monastery-Jordanville Prayer book |
Prayers in English - MYRIOBIBLOS - Prayers - Text |

If necessary, St. Nicholas Liturgical services will utilize the parish Hall in addition to the Nave of the Church providing an expanded area for worship.
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If by necessity church attendance is not possible, you may participate in liturgical services at home using the following resources for texts, and sites for internet broadcast- streaming of services. Our chuch does not stream services.
Weekly Liturgical Texts and Resources
Saint Jonah.org Readers services
Sites where to find streaming services:
Slavonic & English
Eastern American Diocese - list
StJohn the Baptist Cathedral, DC
English