We are a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and all are welcome to worship with us! Our services are in English. Please join us at our coffee hour downstairs after the service.


Sunday Troparion, Tone Tone 6: Angelic Hosts were above Thy tomb, * and they that guarded Thee became as dead. * And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. * Thou didst despoil Hades and wast not tempted by it. * Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. * O Thou Who didst rise from the dead, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Troparion of the Holy Fathers, Tone 8:  Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, * Who hast established our holy fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, * and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. * O Most merciful One, glory be to Thee.

Sunday Kontakion, Tone 6: Having by His life-bestowing hand raised up all the dead out of the dark abysses, * Christ God, the Giver of Life, hath bestowed the Resurrection upon the fallen human race; * for He is Savior of all, the Resurrection, * and the Life and the God of all.

Kontakion of the Holy Fathers, Tone 8: The preaching of the apostles and the doctrines of the fathers confirmed the one Faith of the Church. * And wearing the garment of truth, woven from the theology on high, * She rightly divideth and glorifieth the great mystery of piety.

Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 6: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, * mediation unto the Creator most constant, * O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned, * but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, * who in faith cry unto thee: * Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, * thou who dost ever protect, * O Theotokos, them that honor thee.




Parish News

-Congratulations to Barbara Griffin, who became a catechumen last Sunday!

- The Bible study resumes today at coffee hour. Everyone is welcome.

- Today is the last day of “Serbfest” at St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church in Lackawanna. If you have not seen all the new fresco work which Fr. Theodore Jurewicz has done, today is a good opportunity.

- Please remember in your prayers those traveling this weekend:    Reader George Hammond, John Kachelmeyer, and Larissa Samotowka.

-This Wednesday we will chant the Akathist of the Holy Right-believing Great Prince Vladimir, Enlightener of Rus’ and Equal-to-the-Apostles. At Compline on Friday, we will chant the Canon and Stichera of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

- Fr. Peter will be in Jordanville August 3-6, so there will not be any service on Wednesday, August 5.


The Ecumenical Councils are the greatest battles of Orthodoxy with heretics. Under today's date, the Church jointly commemorates the first Six Ecumenical Councils:
1. The First Ecumenical Council in Nicea, 325 A.D. with 318 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on May 29 and on the Seventh Sunday after Easter. This Council refuted the heresy of Arius against the Son of God.

2. The Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 381 A.D. with 150 holy fathers attending. This Council is commemorated separately on May 22. This Council refuted the heresy of Macedonius against God, the Holy Spirit.

3. The Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus, 431 A.D. with 200 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on September 9. This Council refuted the heresy of Nestorius against the Mother of God.

4. The Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, 451 A.D. with 630 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on July 16. This Council refuted the Monophysite heresy.

5. The Fifth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 553 A.D. with 160 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on July 25. This Council refuted the heresy of Origen.

6. The Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 691 A.D. with 170 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on January 23. This Council refuted the Monothelite heresy.

7. The Seventh Ecumenical Council which was convened in 878 A.D. with 367 holy fathers participating. This Council is not commemorated at this time but is commemorated separately on October 11. This Council refuted the heresy of Iconoclasm.

At these Councils, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, all these heresies were condemned and the Faith of Orthodoxy was defined and confirmed for all time.

If you are visiting today:

- There are service books underneath the candle stand that you may borrow and follow along in. If you get lost, ask your neighbor to help you find the page.

-As you can see, we stand for most of the service. If you are not accustomed to this, please feel free to sit if you feel the need. No one will mind! You should still stand during the Scripture readings and when the priest comes through.

- In the Orthodox tradition, women cover their heads in church, and extra scarves can be borrowed from the candle stand at the entrance.

-You will see people making the sign of the cross and bowing. Feel free to follow suit or not, however you are comfortable. Again, no one will mind either way.

- Feel free to venerate (kiss) the icons and purchase a candle to light. Commemoration slips for Orthodox, living and reposed may be placed on the tray by the candle stand. Please write down how many prosphora you would like (suggested donation: $1/ea.)

- At the end of the service, you may come forward to venerate the hand-cross if you wish.

- At our parish we do not pass a collection plate. Gifts are voluntary and can be left at the candle stand.

- Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion must be an Orthodox Christian and make their Confession beforehand. Please speak with Fr. Peter for more information.

Schedule of Services

Saturday Vigil                  5:00pm
Sunday Divine Liturgy    9:30am
Sunday Bible Study              after coffee hour
Wednesday Akathist              6:30pm
Friday Small Compline    6:30pm

Confessions are heard at every evening service.