On Saturday, May 25th, 2024, The American Legion Singac Post 108 & The Township of Little Falls held it's annual Memorial Day celebration, honoring the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces with a parade and memorial service in Wilmore Road Park. This year, the American Legion Post 108 invited Priest Mark Rashkov, Rector of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church to participate in the ceremony with an opening prayer. After a short prayer, Legion Commander Herb Brychta continued to lead the service with words of remembrance for the fallen heroes of Little Falls, NJ followed by the address of Little Falls Mayor, James Belford Damiano. 

It was an honor for our parish to participate in this event and we thank the town and especially the American Legion for the opportunity. 

Paschal festivities at Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church began at 11pm on Holy Saturday with Paschal Nocturnes. After the Shroud of Christ was returned to the altar, at about midnight, the Paschal procession began around the church building. Afterwards Paschal Matins followed with the reading of the Sermon of Saint John Chrysotom. As is the tradition on Pascha, at the Divine Liturgy, the Gospel was read in various languages. This year the Gospel was read in  English, Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Dutch, Polish, Tajik and Latvian languages. On Sunday morning, Father Mark served a Paschal Typica Service with communion for those who did not attend the night Service. The festivities concluded on Sunday morning with a parish barbecue and wishing Father Mark a happy belated birthday.  

On May 4, 2024, Great and Holy Saturday services began with a Vesperal Divine Liturgy with the reading of the Old Testament readings of Holy Saturday. At 5pm the faithful gathered at the Education Center for Easter basket blessings. 

On May 3, 2024, Great and Holy Friday, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John's Church gathered to venerate the shroud of Christ. At 3pm the shroud was brought out to the the center of the church for veneration at the end of Holy Friday Vespers. At 6pm, Matins of Holy Saturday were served with a procession with the shroud of Christ around the outside of the church. 

Holy Thursday began with Divine Liturgy, commemorating the day of the Last Supper. In the evening, Holy Friday Matins were served with the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels.  

On Holy Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John's Church gathered for the sacrament of Holy Unction. The rector of the Elevation of the Holy Cross Church in Hackettstown, NJ, Priest Andrew Massey concelebrated with Father Mark.