For centuries, Orthodox Christians throughout the world have marked the Dormition with pilgrimages. The faithful walk for miles—sometimes for days—to reach monasteries and other holy places dedicated to the Mother of God.
Here in the Bay Area, we are blessed to have Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga. On Friday, we will celebrate the festal Vigil, with its beautiful and consoling hymns, here at St. Nicholas. On Saturday, August 15, we will then make our own short pilgrimage to Calistoga for the festal Divine Liturgy. Our journey may not be long, but a pilgrimage is measured by more than miles. It reminds us that a great feast asks us to interrupt our routines, leave what is familiar, and make some effort to meet the Lord.
—Fr. Stephan
Our flowers and herbs around the festal icon recall the lingering fragrance of the virtues of the Mother of God in the Church.
— Fr. Stephan
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
102 Ross Avenue
San Anselmo, CA 94960
pastor: V. Rev. Stephan Meholick
phone: 415.454.0982
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America in San Anselmo, CA. The Orthodox Church in America is the autocephalous (self-governing) Orthodox Church on this continent, whose jurisdiction runs from Canada through Mexico under the omophor of His Beatitude, our Metropolitan TIKHON.