Prior to electricity and central heating, most families gathered in parlors, spending evenings with reading, sewing, and family conversations. The notion that everyone would retreat to bedrooms, kitchens, or dens, separating themselves from other family members, was unthinkable. The communal nature of the family was natural. I can remember, as a child (this really dates […]

Given the difficulties we have all faced during this past year, it is likely that many of us will be happy to see 2020 disappear into history with the coming of the new year. Unfortunately, pandemics and similar trials do not always disappear with the turning of a calendar page. We pray that the pandemic, […]

St. Nikephoros the Leper (feast day January 4) is a twentieth-century saint who suffered from leprosy for many decades. He has emerged as a major saint to turn to during this time of pandemic, after word spread that he  had  appeared  to  an elderly man in Greece in early March, telling him not to fear […]

Priest’s Corner Last year at this time, I happily announced that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia had officially set the date for the full consecration of our church for this year’s patronal feast day. As we all know, of course, this was not meant to be. Although we […]

This year, 2020, we certainly experienced a memorable Easter period. It is tempting to compare the deprivation we have endured in our lifetime to the deprivation of services, the observance of old Russian traditions, and the anticipation, joy, and exuberance we have experienced on Easters past with the travails that our ancestors went through during […]

As the celebration of Holy Pascha comes to an end for this year, let us never allow this great joy to ever leave us, regardless of how oddly things may have gone this year. The eternal joy of Christ’s Resurrection is summarized beautifully in this excerpt from a homily by Fr. Anatoly Pravdolubov (+1981): “In […]

Priest’s Corner: The Promise of Pascha Every year, at the beginning of Great and Holy Lent, we are encouraged to increase our spiritual efforts over the last year and previous year’s Lent and to conduct it as never before. Those words have never rung more true than they do for us today. Never have we—of […]

Beloved in Christ Parishioners, Given that the current restrictions placed upon us will remain in force through Pascha this year, the practices adopted at Sts. Peter & Paul Church will also remain in force as well. Additionally, a number of specific issues will be addressed as follows: During the Shelter-in-Place, as always, all our services […]

This year will be one of great significance not only to our parish, but to all of our beloved Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which celebrates the centennial of its founding. It is of historical interest and importance to note that ROCOR should never have come into existence in the first place, but did—by […]

As some of you who attend church regularly have already noted, our new iconostasis has been installed in place of the old one and continues to amaze and awe those of us who have been waiting for it to take its place in the church for so many years. Of course, it is not yet […]