|
Schedule of Services
Services at the Cathedral are conducted in English (E) and Church Slavonic (S).
Saturday, March 29 – Memorial Saturday
- 9:00 am – Divine Liturgy (E,S)
- 5:00 pm – Vigil (E,S)
Sunday, March 30
- 9:00 am – Divine Liturgy (E)
- 10:45 am – Divine Liturgy (S)
Wednesday, April 2
- 7:00 pm – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (E,S) followed by Potluck Dinner
Friday, April 4
Saturday, April 5
Sunday, April 6 – Annunciation (OC)
- 9:00 am – Divine Liturgy (E)
- 10:45 am – Divine Liturgy (S)
| | |
Pastoral Care
Clergy are available by phone and email for spiritual care as needed. If you want to set up an appointment, please find clergy contact information below. You can find the website Pastoral Care page here.
| | |
Scripture Readings for March 30
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16
For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Mark 9:17-31
17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” 19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” 30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
| | Currently at St. Nicholas | | |
Sunday School Pascha Preparation Day
When: Sunday April 6, 11am - 12:30pm
Where: First Floor of the Annex
Children are invited to make Easter crafts for take home and contribution to gift bags for our homebound parishioners in the Paschal Season. Contact: Andrea Lutov.
| | |
St. Nicholas Cathedral Easter Bake Sale
Our bake sale features medium and large kulich and cheese babka; see the order form for all details. Pickup of your baked goods will be on Saturday, April 12 following Lazarus Saturday Divine Liturgy and on Palm Sunday, April 13, following the English and Slavonic Divine Liturgies.
Orders are strongly recommended, as supplies are limited, and must be received by April 9th.
Send the order form to Paprika Catering, or fill one out and leave it in the church basement.
| | |
St. Nicholas 2025 Community Paschal Card
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is a St. Nicholas tradition to have an annual Parish Paschal Card, a way for parishioners and friends of our Cathedral parish to exchange greetings on this joyous day, the Feast of Feasts.
You can fill out the form and leave it in an envelope at the candle counter or mail it back with your donation (check only please), to be received no later than April 6. The Cathedral address is 3500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007.
You also can make your contribution on our parish website, using Paypal or Venmo. Make sure that you indicate “Paschal Card” in the note line. Then, please confirm how your name or your family’s name should be listed by emailing office@stnicholasdc.org. Please put “Paschal Card” in the subject line.
We are grateful for any donation toward the Parish Paschal Card. If you prefer that your name not be listed, please indicate that in your confirming email or on the form.
To ensure that the card can be printed and mailed to reach everyone before Pascha, which is April 20, please respond no later than April 6 to be included in the card.
Questions? Email office@stnicholasdc.org.
| | |
Potluck Dinners
After Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesday evenings during Lent, we enjoy a potluck meal together in the fellowship hall. Please join us and bring something Lenten to share with everyone!
| | |
Would You Like to Participate in a Study?
Dear St. Nicholas congregation,
I have been coming to services at the cathedral for a couple of months now as part of a research study on worship, memory and hope.
At this point, I would like to invite you to take part in that study through interviews. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on your engagement with worship and share with me what it means for you to participate in rituals that remember events and people from the past.
Interviews can take place online or in-person and are audio recorded; recordings are deleted after they have been transcribed; and all transcriptions will be de-identified (that is, names of all persons will be changed and any information that would identify you taken out).
Please get in touch with me if you would like to learn more about this study or would like to participate.
Many thanks!
Lena Maria Lorenz
Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Georgetown-Howard Center for Medical Humanities and Health Justice
Lena.Lorenz@georgetown.edu
| | |
Please Consider Helping
After suffering a series of medical setbacks, our own James Stowell has been forced into medical retirement, leaving him and his wife Victoria as a single-income household. Victoria has had to carry the fullness of their financial burden.
Please consider visiting the below GoFundMe page to help the Stowells, who have given so much to St. Nicholas through their work at the candle counter and the gift corner, among other activities, by relieving some of the financial strain off of Victoria. It would be such a tremendous blessing to them, and they thank you so much for your consideration.
| | |
Webinar: Mastering Your Resume - Updated Date/Zoom Link
The St Nicholas employment ministry continues to support individuals through challenging times in the job market. You are invited to join our upcoming webinar, designed specifically for individuals who are looking to revitalize their job search.
Date: Monday, March 31st
Time: 7 pm EST
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Platform: Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83362238770pwd=l8YnFMJhlAvTXOmo97BaJP9K0Ab2GO.1
Meeting ID: 833 6223 8770
Passcode: 696139
During this session, Elena Forrest-Cherneski, coach will cover:
- Key components of an effective resume
- How to highlight your skills and experience
- Do's and Don'ts in resume writing
- Tips for tailoring your resume to different job applications
- Use of LinkedIn Premium, an AI tool for resume and job description matching
- Importance of a cover letter
- Strategies to deal stress during the job search
This is a safe space for you to learn, share your experiences, and ask questions without judgment. We are here to help you regain your confidence and take the next step in your career journey!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry News | | |
OCPM Seeks a Church Programs Manager
As the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church in the United States, OCPM partners with churches and local communities —inside and outside of prison— to support the restoration of those affected by incarceration. Church Programs Manager will inspire, train, and support Orthodox churches to get involved in prison ministry and implement OCPM's programs locally. This is a remote position.
The Church Programs Manager will lead and expand OCPM’s outreach to Orthodox churches interested doing prison ministry. This individual will lead the development and implementation of innovative programs, working closely with churches to determine which OCPM program model fits best with the resources and engagement level of that specific community. The Church Programs Manager will drive the growth of parish-based ministries by conducting in-person and virtual training sessions with churches and provide ongoing coaching services as parishes develop local ministries. The Church Programs Manager will cultivate and maintain relationships with local ministry leaders, ensuring a strong, cooperative relationship between local and national initiatives.
| | Orthodox Christian Missions Center News | | |
OCMC Agape Canister
Thank you! Donations totaling $50.50 were made in the OCMC Agape Canister at the candle counter. The OCMC spreads the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
| | Addictions Recovery Support Network News | | |
At At St. Nicholas we care about you and want to help you find the resources that will relieve the pain of addiction or co-addiction
This is why we have created the Addictions Recovery Support Network (ARSN). The ARSN recognizes Science/Counseling, 12 Steps and 12 Traditions Recovery Programs and Religion are separate entities. The ARSN Ministry also recognizes that these entities are bridgeable and compatible, when it comes to achieving and maintain relief from addiction or co-addition.
The ARSN Ministry is not a 12 Steps and 12 Traditions program. We are Orthodox Christians who stand ready to offer resources and solutions to the problem of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Our ministry is open to all persons who are looking for resources.
To learn more, pick up an ARSN Brochure from the Recovery Rack located in the coffee hour hall, text or join us on the monthly ARSN Zoom meeting.
The monthly meeting is held on Zoom, on the last Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:15 PM. There is freedom from addiction/co-addiction, and there is joy in recovery. Join us.
Meeting ID: 210 068 7480
Password: 208156
Samantha Cath (in recovery) coordinates the ARSN Ministry. Feel free to call or text her or Father George with questions about recovery choices and/or the ARSN Ministry.
Father George (703) 801-9911
Samantha Cath (703) 919-6334
| | Spiritual, Cultural and Fun Opportunities | | |
Amphilochios: Saint of Patmos Film Screening
When: Friday, March 28th at 8:30PM, after Salutations
Where: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th St. NW, Washington, DC
Beauty First Films' documentary short explores the life and spiritual legacy of a beloved twentieth-century saint from the Greek island of Patmos. Filmed over four days, during the first celebration of St Amphilochios' April feast day in 2019, locals and pilgrims to the island share their remembrances of the saint. St. Amphilochios (1889-1970) was a tireless spiritual father, missionary, and founder of orphanages and monasteries. The film is 30 minutes, mostly in Greek with English subtitles. Beauty First Films was founded in 2019 by Thomaida Hudanish and Dr. Timothy Patitsas to bring viewers to a place of awe, beauty, and holiness. We're looking forward to having the filmmakers with us to introduce the film!
| | |
Free Webinar Series
When: Sundays at 8PM from now through the Feast of Pentecost
Where: On Zoom
OLTV and the new Orientale Lumen Institute are pleased to announce a FREE webinar series every Sunday evening from now through Pentecost. The series will consist of pre-recorded homilies by Metropolitan +Kallistos, of blessed memory, and an open-floor discussion via virtual Zoom meeting. The series is open to all: laity and clergy, Catholics and Orthodox. After listening to each homily, we will have a round-table discussion to include anyone who wants to ask a question, make a comment or offer a short reflection. We ask everyone to be respectful to all participants and limit their time to 1 minute.
To sign up, send an email, and you will receive an invitation with the link to use to connect. Please sign up as soon as possible as space is limited to 100 persons.
| | |
Camp Good Shepherd Virginia
When: July 6 - 12
Where: Camp Piankatank, Hartfield, VA (about 30 minutes north of Yorktown, VA). It is a rented location.
Ages: 10-18 (completed 5th grade through high school). Think Middle and High School.
Camping? The children stay in "fully loaded" cabins with Air Conditioning. This is not outdoor camping.
Registration: $650 per camper. This includes all of their food and lodging for the week. Do not allow concerns of finances to be the reason for a child to not attend camp.
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Dulles, VA, is excited to invite all to join them for Camp Good Shepherd Virginia, an Orthodox summer camp serving the Virginia and DC Metro area. CGS has been operating since 2015. It is an overnight summer camp for Orthodox Christians.
They are also now accepting staff applications. They mostly take young adults, who have to be at least one year out of college. There is a training process for all staff. Please Contact Fr. Thomas Manuel if interested.
| | |
Appalachia Service Project
When: June 22 - 28
With Holy Apostles Church in Dulles, VA and St. George Church in Bethesda, MD. This is an opportunity for adults and teens to participate in a service project in Appalachia. ASP is a Christian organization which repairs homes in the poorest areas of the Appalachia regions of VA, WV, TN, NC and KY.
Teams of nine people will be set up, each including two adults and seven teens (the teens must have completed 8th grade.) Once you register you will be assigned a team. The cost is $375 per person which goes to ASP; each church must raise additional funds to cover transportation, meals, and housing costs. Contact Athena Kaiser to sign up for the Appalachia service project.
| | |
Birthdays and Anniversaries
March Birthdays
-
5 - Wayne Paige
-
10 - Marina Samkharadze
-
11 - Lydia Tingstrom
-
12 - Virgil Nemoianu
-
14 - Samantha Cath
-
19 - Lana Gerich
-
20 - Tatjana D'Arcangelo
-
20 - Tatyana Son
-
21 - Iryna Hartman
-
24 - Glenn Hartman
-
30 - Megan (Maria) Salazar
March Anniversaries
- 2 - Fr. Yaroslav Sudick ordination to the Holy Priesthood - 1959
- 5 - Katya and Dan Haines
- 28 - James and Victoria Stowell - 2009
| | |
Remembering Vladimir Tolstoy
Count Vladimir Tolstoy, grandnephew of the author Leo Tolstoy, and long-time resident of Washington, D.C., died on March 6th, 2020 at the age of 93. The cause of death was pneumonia aggravated by congestive heart failure.
Vladimir’s mother, Princess Helene Wolkonsky—a lady in waiting to Alexandra, the last Empress of Russia—was able to flee Russia in 1922 after spending several years imprisoned by the Soviets. She met and married her husband, an officer in the White Army, Sergei Tolstoy-Miloslavsky in Czechoslovakia. They spent time in Germany before finally settling as displaced persons in Nice, France where their second son Vladimir was born in 1927.
During World War II, Vladimir and his mother were living in Dresden, Germany and narrowly escaped the firebombing by the British RAF in which, ironically, his elder brother Michael served. In the late 1940’s, Vladimir’s mother was recruited by Alexandra, Leo’s daughter, to help manage the Tolstoy Foundation in Nyack, NY. Vladimir followed after completing his degree at the St. Sergius Theological Institute, a recognized arm of the Sorbonne. While in Paris he was a regular at the home of future French President Valery Giscard-D’Estaing and his brother Olivier, with whom he traveled to Russia in the mid 1950’s.
Once in the United States, Vladimir attended and graduated from Hobart College with a degree in Philosophy and received a Master’s Degree in Theology from Columbia University. A serendipitous encounter with the Russian wife of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt lead to his appointment as a professor in Russian and French language, culture, and history at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He taught there for 29 years and launched the Academy’s International Ball to teach midshipmen how to behave socially as officers and gentlemen and to expose them to foreign cultures. He often hosted midshipmen at his home in DC and even gave them personal waltzing lessons in Bancroft Hall. Professor Tolstoy also studied and taught linguistics at Georgetown University, History and Russian at American University, and was instrumental in establishing the Russian Department at Howard University. He hosted the first Russian Language instructional TV show on WTOP for which he received an Emmy Award.
Vladimir also did interpreting and in 1959 he was one of those at the so-called “Kitchen Debate” between then Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev in Moscow at the American National Exhibition. During the early 60’s his summers were spent teaching at the Institute for Russian Studies in Munich, Germany. It was there he met his future wife, Suzanne Bolasco. They were married in 1975 at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Tuckahoe, NY.
Perhaps in his eyes, his most significant accomplishment was the care and nurturing of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral on Massachusetts Avenue where he served as Sub-Deacon. Although it started out as merely an underground bunker and some dreams, Vladimir worked tirelessly to collect funds for the cathedral’s construction and aided in the selection of the architect and making design decisions. Many decades after the construction, he helped spearhead the effort to bring several iconographers from Russia to hand paint the frescoes which make the interior so striking. These icons, he would often explain, are windows into the soul—a fact he would repeat when he taught at the church’s Sunday School which he and his mother founded.
While very proud to have become an American citizen, Vladimir’s core beliefs were firmly entrenched in all things Russian. He was a great supporter of the Russian community in both Washington and abroad. Whether it was the idea of holding Maslenitsa—Russian Mardi Gras—at the Russian Embassy for 22 years to collect funds for the needy or being a founder and Governor of the Russian Cultural Center, he used his social position as well as his vocation as a teacher and mentor to cultivate and expand the awareness of all things Russian. He even partook in the clandestine dissemination back into Russia of Pasternak’s manuscript for Dr. Zhivago.
His joie de vivre made it easy for him to befriend people of all walks of life—including the likes of Mstislav Rostropovich, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Vladimir Ashkenazy—and his home became a center of Russian culture, history and art. For his efforts he was officially recognized by the Russian Foreign Ministry under then Ambassador to the US Yuri Ushakov.
Professor Tolstoy, as he preferred to be called, is survived by his wife Suzanne and sons Nikolai and Alexandr.
| | |
Parishioner Memorial Project
Each month we hope to highlight the memory of a departed parishioner or friend of St. Nicholas Cathedral. If you have a loved one or friend that you would like to have featured, please send a short biography with their contributions to our Cathedral life, no matter how great or small - with a digital photo if available - to Lisamik56@gmail.com with the words "Memory Eternal" in the subject line. Please include the date and year of death, as we will try to highlight the departed around an anniversary.
| | | |
ADDRESS
3500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Telephone: 202 333 5060
| | | | |
