On Lazarus Saturday, the clergy and faithful of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church gathered to celebrate the feast and took part in a parish clean-up day in preparation for the upcoming feasts and Holy Pascha. Palm and willow branches were also readied in anticipation of Palm Sunday.
That evening, the parish marked the beginning of the Palm Sunday celebration with Great Vespers and Litiya, during which the palms and willows were blessed.
The following morning, as the church bells rang, Sunday School children, along with their teachers, volunteers, parents, clergy, and altar servers, participated in a festal procession from the parish education building to the church, accompanied by the choir’s festal hymns. Upon entering the church, the Divine Liturgy for Palm Sunday commenced.
After the Communion of the faithful, the prayer for the blessing of palms and willows was read again for those who had not received the blessing the previous evening. The day concluded with fellowship in the parish hall, followed by Sunday School craft activities for the children.

The Third Sunday of Great Lent marks the beginning of the Week of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Savior. It was a day filled with grace and joy for the parish community. During the service, the Cross was solemnly brought to the center of the church, where it now stands in the place of honor it rightly holds in the life of every Christian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish Sunday School gathered for a lesson dedicated to the meaning of the Cross. The children learned about its significance in the life of the Church and participated in creative activities reflecting the theme of the day.
At the same time, the young men of the parish began preparations for Pascha by harvesting willow branches, continuing a cherished tradition as the community looks ahead to the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection.

The first week of Great Lent has come to a close. By God’s grace, the faithful stepped away from their usual routines and immersed themselves in the beauty and prayerfulness of the Church’s Lenten services. From the moving Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete to the solemn Presanctified Divine Liturgy, the week unfolded in a spirit of repentance, reflection, and renewed dedication to the spiritual life.
The week culminated on Sunday with the celebration of the Rite of Orthodoxy. Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish Sunday School children joined the clergy in a joyful procession, carrying their icons and proclaiming the beauty and truth of the Orthodox faith.
After the service, Fr. Mark held a discussion with the children about the meaning of icons and the lives of the saints. The lesson was followed by Sunday School crafts, allowing the children to creatively reflect on what they had learned.

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, following Divine Liturgy and Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness, the parish of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Parish joyfully hosted a Maslenitsa celebration. Parishioners and guests were welcomed into a festive atmosphere adorned with traditional Slavic decorations, music, and freshly prepared homemade blini.
Musical performances were offered by Irina Zagornava and the children’s musical dance ensemble Zolotoy Petushok. Traditional Slavic dances were presented by the youth dance group Kaleidoscope. In addition, parish Sunday School students delighted the audience with ballet performances choreographed by Arina Klavel from American Russian Children’s Home (ARCHH).
The celebration also included a variety of activities, games, and entertainment thoughtfully organized by Marina Ivannikova. The afternoon was filled with joy, cultural expression, lively dancing, and warm fellowship. Saint John Parish extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who helped organize, participate in, and support this beautiful and festive event.

On January 19, 2025, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, New Jersey, gathered to celebrate the feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Prior to the Divine Liturgy, four catechumens were baptized. During the Divine Liturgy, the newly baptized were chrismated, tonsured, and churched.
In accordance with the tradition of the Orthodox Church, the Great Blessing of the Waters (“Agiasma”) was served following the Divine Liturgy. Afterward, the clergy and faithful processed to the nearby stream that flows through the neighborhood, singing the hymns of Theophany. There, the waters of the brook were blessed and used to bless all those in attendance.
Following the service, the parish joyfully congratulated Matushka Anastasia on her birthday, along with other parishioners who celebrated birthdays that week.

On Sunday, January 18, 2028, the clergy, parishioners, and guests of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church gathered for a joyful Yolka celebration.
Following Divine Liturgy, everyone made their way to the education building next door, beautifully adorned with lights, balloons, and festive Christmas decorations. The celebration opened with a prayer and welcoming remarks from the rector of the parish, Fr. Mark Rashkov, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many volunteers—both near and far—whose time and dedication made the event possible.
Guests were then treated to a live Nativity shadow puppet performance, presented by parishioners and directed by Vladislav Guzner. The production beautifully retold the story of Christ’s birth, bringing the Nativity to life in a creative and engaging way.
The second part of the celebration was filled with dancing, singing, and joyful games. Highlights included a ballet performance by the Sunday School children. Children and adults alike were delighted by the appearance of Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden (Snegurochka).
At the conclusion of the Yolka celebration, every child received a holiday gift of sweets, and the festivities continued with warm fellowship.

On January 6–7, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The feast began on the morning of January 6 with the Royal Hours, followed by the Nativity Vigil served at 6:00 p.m.
On January 7, the clergy and faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy. During the communion of the clergy, the rector of the parish, Priest Mark Rashkov, read the Nativity greetings from the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh. 
The service concluded with the veneration of the Cross, as the parish choir, led by Alla Kerko, sang Christmas hymns. The celebration continued with fellowship in the parish hall, where the children of the parish performed Christmas carols for the parish lead by the Choir Director, Matushkas Alla Kerko. 

 The Sunday before the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist celebrated the memory of the great saint. The children of our parish were presented with gifts by "Saint Nicholas". The day continued with the annual meeting of the parish sisterhood - "St Ann's Altar Society. The day concluded with a Christmas concert performed by the "Spirit of Orthodoxy Choir" - a pan-orthodox choir consisting of members from parishes across various Orthodox Christian jurisdictions. The Choir was lead by Stratos J. Mandalakis. Afterwards, the celebrations concluded in the parish hall during a reception hosted by the parish for all the guests. 

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, following the Divine Liturgy in celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Saint John’s Church joyfully hosted its annual parish picnic. The event brought together not only parishioners, but also friends and guests from neighboring Orthodox parishes, local residents from surrounding towns, and representatives of the Little Falls Town Council. The picnic was filled with warmth, fellowship, and a true spirit of community. Guests enjoyed live music, delicious homemade food, and a variety of games and activities for children, creating a lively and family-friendly atmosphere. Tables were filled with laughter and conversation as old friends reconnected and new friendships were made.
Events like this remind us that the church is not only a place of prayer and worship, but also a home for fellowship, service, fun, and love. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed their time, talents, and effort to organize this beautiful celebration, and to all who joined us in supporting and strengthening our parish community.

On June 28, 2025 the youth group of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church visited Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral in NYC. A tour of the cathedral was lead by the rector of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church and Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov. The group learned about the history of the cathedral and especially the lives of it's founders, Saint Tikhon of Moscow and all Russia and Saint Alexander Hotovitzky. Afterwards, the tour the group venerated the relics of Saint Tikhon which enclosed in a special reliquary temporarily located in the cathedral for the 100th anniversary year of his repose. Fellowship continued in the cathedral museum.  

On Sunday June 8, 2025 the Orthodox Church Celebrated the most holy feast of Pentecost, the day of the Holy Trinity. In Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church the feast was celebrated with Divine Liturgy followed by Great Vespers during which the kneeling prayers were read as is the tradition of the Orthodox Church. During the great Prokeimenon, flower petals were dispersed among the church from the choir loft, accompanying the words "You are God, Who alone works wonders." 

After service, the festivities continued in the education center with a Sunday School celebration to mark the end of the school year. In cooperation with "ArchH Ballet Foundation" a ballet performance was organized for the congregation followed by a children's musical performance prepared by the parish choir director, Matushka Alla Kerko. Afterwards, the Sunday School students were given gifts and certificates of completion. Additionally, letters of appreciation were given to parishioners and teachers that especially contributed to the life of the parish Sunday School during the academic year. 

We congratulate Helen Margititch, Fr Anthony Kurakevich, Joseph Lawless, Beth Gobeille, Nadezhda Popova, Apollinaria Rashkova, and Maryanna Bacsik who celebrated their birthdays. Additionally, we congratulate Emma Pandorf and Sophia Girard on graduating high school. Many Years! 

On May 11, 2025, the Nativity of Saint John's Church celebrated Mother's Day. At the end of Liturgy, all the women in the parish received a flower as they venerated the cross. The festivities continued after service in the parish hall with a lunch that was prepared by men in the parish for the women and with a children's musical performance organized honoring all mothers by the parish choir director, Matushka Alla Kerko. Additionally, the parish congratulated James and Jaye Levitsky  with their 25th wedding anniversary. 

On April 26, 2025, Bright Saturday, the clergy and parishioners of Nativity of Saint John Parish in Little Falls, NJ continued to celebrate the Most Holy feast of the Resurrection of Christ. After Divine Liturgy a procession was took place around the church and the traditional prayers for the distribution of the Artos bread was read. 

Vesperal Divine Liturgy and blessing of the Easter baskets at Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church. 

On Holy and Good Friday the shroud of Christ was brought out during vespers of Holy Friday. That evening, Matins of Holy Saturday were served. At the end of the service, the shroud of Christ was processed with around the church. Upon returning, the faithful walked underneath the shroud before entering the church.  

On Lazarus Saturday, after Divine Liturgy, parishioners took part in our annual parish clean-up. The church buildings were prepared for the feast of Pascha, the Resurrection of Christ. On Sunday, the day the Lord entered Jerusalem, the morning began with a Sunday School procession. the Children carried banners, palms and willow branches. After Liturgy, Fr Mark congratulated Anna Sunden on her birthday and wished Gregory and Carol Levitsky a happy wedding anniversary. During coffee hour, a few parishioners took part in Easter egg painting class "Pysanky" hosted by Maryann Bacsik.  

On Saturday evening, April 5, 2025, the eve of the 5th Sunday of Great Lent and the Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the feast of St. Tikhon, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, officiated Great Vespers in St. John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ. In commemoration of the beginning of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the repose of St. Tikhon, the archpastor brought to the church an icon of the saint with a particle of his holy relics for veneration of the faithful.
Concelebrating with His Grace were parish rector & Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes, Priest Mark Rashkov, Priest Anthony Kurakevich, Hieromonk Seraphim (Balagtas; cleric of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Passaic, NJ), Hieromonk Stephen (Bushman), Deacon Alexis Golubov (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City) and Deacon Stephen Boyd (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky OCA Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA. The parish choir sung the responses under the direction of Alla Kerko.
At the end of the service, the archpastor was warmly greeted by the rector of the church, Father Mark, who, on behalf of all the parishioners, thanked Bishop Matthew for visiting the parish and for the opportunity to glorify Saint Tikhon with the icon containing a particle of his holy relics. In turn, the bishop addressed the parishioners with a sermon and also expressed gratitude to the rector, the parish president and the parish council, benefactors, the choirmaster and singers, volunteers and all the parishioners for their work for the good of the Church and love for their parish.
The archpastor presented all the participants of the service with an icon of the Iveron icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. After the sermon, the bishop served a short moleben to Saint Tikhon and read a prayer to the saint before his holy icon.
Interaction continued over a fraternal meal in the parish hall, prepared by the parish sisterhood during the annual Saint Anna's Altar Society Salmon Dinner. The annual Salmon Dinner has a long-standing tradition in Saint John's parish, bringing together people from within and outside of the regular parish congregation. The dinner is takes takes place on the nearest Saturday to the Annunciation of the Theotokos. 
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On Saturday March 22, celebrating the Sunday of the Cross, during Great Vespers, the Cross of our Lord was decorated and brought out into the center of the church for veneration. On Sunday, after Divine Liturgy, the Rector, Fr. Mark Rashkov welcomed the and congratulated the congregation and gave a lesson on the feast and the theology of the Cross. The Sunday School lesson was dedicated to the Cross and in honor of the feast of the 40 Martyrs (celebrated the day prior) the children baked "Zavoronki", a customary lent dough baked in the form of a bird on the feast of the 40 Martyrs.  ​

On the first Sunday of Great lent, the clergy and Sunday School students and teachers of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church took part in a procession around the church building celebrating the triumph Orthodoxy over the iconoclast heresies. The Sunday School children carried icons of their patronal saints. During the procession, the litany from the "rite of Orthodoxy" was intoned and concluded with a prayer of health for all Orthodox Christians. The service concluded with a sermon from the rector, Father Mark Rashkov about the importance of the role of icons in the Orthodox faith. In addition, the clergy and parishioners wished Alex Girard, altar server of the parish, a happy birthday.