On Sunday June 23, 2024 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 with a Sunday School celebration to mark the end of the school year. The students were given gifts and certificates of completion. Letters of appreciation were given to parishioners and teachers that especially contributed to the life of the parish Sunday School during the academic year. After the celebration, the children enjoyed the summer weather outdoors as parishioners enjoyed fellowship at coffee hour. 

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.

On Saturday April 27, 2024 after Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church joined in the annual parish clean-up day to prepare the church and church grounds for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Holy Easter (Pascha). Along with cleaning, the parish took part in decorating the church with palms and willow branches. That evening, at festal Great Vespers, the rector, Father Mark blessed the palms and willows which were distributed to the faithful. 
The following morning, the feast day began with a festive procession from the education building to the church. The children and Sunday School teachers held palms and branches of willow to mark the feast. After processing into the church the festive Divine Liturgy began. Afterwards Father Mark  blessed the palms and willows for those who could not attend the day before. At the end of service, Father Mark welcomed everyone with a sermon and especially congratulated Tina Malinowski, Harry Stryker, Joan Drobik and all who celebrated their birthdays that past week.  

On Saturday, April 20, 2024 Nativity of Saint John's church hosted the annual pysanky egg workshop. Guests and parishioners joined to learn about the ancient Slavic tradition of decorating eggs for Holy Easter (Pascha). After a demonstration by experienced individuals of this art form, participants were provided with all that was necessary in order to practice the art themselves. A special thank you to our very own Marry Ann Bacsik and her family who dedicate a great deal of their time and resources to help organize this event every year. 

On April 6th and 7th, 2024, the clergy and faithful of Saint John's Church celebrated the fast of the Annunciation of our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary which this year falls on the Third Sunday of Great Lent. On Saturday evening, during Great Vespers, the Cross of our Lord was decorated and brought out into the center of the church for veneration as is the custom of the Orthodox Church. On Sunday, the actual day of the feast, 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 to the parish Sunday School children. Afterwards, the students continued to decorated their own crosses to honor the feast. 

On Saturday, April 6th, 2024 after the Festal Great Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Marry, Saint Anna's Altar society hosted their annual Salmon dinner. Parishioners and guests gathered at the Saint John's education center to enjoy a salmon meal made by Saint Anna's sisterhood. The evening was joy and fellowship ending with a tricky tray raffle. 

Beginning on March 18, 2024 Lenten services were held all week at Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church. From Monday - Thursday, the clergy and parishioners gathered to take part in Great Compline with the reading of the four parts of the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete and on Friday night, the first Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts was served. After Saturday Vespers and Sunday Liturgy for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Great lent, the clergy and the Sunday School students and teachers took part in a procession around the inside and part of the outside of the church building. 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, during which we underscored the importance of the role of icons in the Orthodox faith. 

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, after Divine Liturgy and Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness, the parish of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist hosted a Maslenitsa celebration. Parishioners and guests were welcomed with traditional slavic decorations, music, and fresh homemade blini. The event began with a vocal performance by Vasiliy Nasiuta accompanied by Zinaida Rashkova. Music was performed by the Irina Zagornava and the children's musical dance ensemble "Zolotoy Petushok". Additional activities and games were organized by Marina Ivannikova. The afternoon was filled with fun and joy, cultural actives, dancing, and fellowship. Saint John Parish sincerely thanks everyone who organized, participated, and took part in this joyous occasion.
​Photo credit: @AlexanderSun75

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church gathered for a baptismal liturgy at which the child Nicholas Pandrof was baptized, chrismated, tonsured, churched, and given holy communion. At the conclusion of the service, the parish congratulated the family and relatives present. In addition, many years was sung for Justine LaMonica and Alexander Girard who celebrated their birthdays that past week. 

On February 15, 2024, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. At Nativity of Saint John Church the Feast began on February 14th with great vespers and litia followed by Divine Liturgy and the blessing of the candles on the 15th. After Liturgy the rector, Father Mark Rashkov, welcomed all the parishioners and spoke about the importance of the feast and the reason why we bless the candles on this day. 

On Sunday, February 4th, 2024, the day that the Russian Orthodox Church commemorates the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church, after Divine Liturgy, the newly elected parish council of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church gathered for short meleben, asking that the Lord bless their dedicated efforts for the benefit of the parish community. The parish clergy and faithful wished them many years of health and fruitful labors, thanking them for their willingness to be a part of the parish  lay leadership. 

In addition, Priest Mark Rashkov, Rector of the parish churched the newly- born child Nicholas Pandorf.  

That same day, Father Mark read a prayer and blessed two Sunday School children who are members of the Cub Scouts of America as they continue their advancement and fruitful participation in the scout program.  

On Sunday January 21, 2024, the clergy, parishioners, and guests of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church celebrated the end of the Holiday Season with a Yolka celebration. 

After Divine Liturgy everyone made their way next door to the education building which was decorated with lights, balloons, and festive Christmas decor. The celebration began with a prayer and a few words from the rector of the parish, Fr. Mark Rashkov. During his introductory remarks, Fr. Mark thanked all of the many volunteers from near and far that helped make the celebration possible. Afterwards, guests watched a live Nativity puppet show put on by parishioners of the church and directed by Vladislav Guzner and musically accompanied by Zinaida Rashkova. The show highlighting the events of Christ's birth and retold the Nativity story. 

The Second part of the celebration was full of dancing, singing, fun and games. The both the children and adults were welcomed by Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden (Snegurochka). Afterward, the Sunday School children performed the Christmas Song "Deck the Halls" and individual children performed songs and poems which they prepared for Grandfather Frost and the guests.

After the Yolka celebration, every child received a holiday gift of sweets and everyone continued to enjoy each other's company and the holiday potluck lunch which was organized by the parish. 

On January 18 and 19, 2024, the clergy and parishioners of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ celebrated the feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As is the tradition of the Orthodox Church, the Holy "Agiasma" service of the Great Blessing of the water was served both after Divine Liturgy on the Eve of Theophany, and After Liturgy on the actual day of the feast. After the Great Blessing of water the clergy and faithful walked down to the stream of water the flows through the neighborhood while singing the hymns of Theophany. There, the stream of flowing water was also blessed and used to bless the faithful that were present. 

Beginning on January 5th, 2024 the clergy and parishioners of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ, celebrated Nativity celebrations beginning with Great and Royal Hours, Nativity Eve services, and concluded with Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 7. After Nativity Liturgy the Choir, lead by Sergei Kondratiev, spread Christmas cheer by singing tradition Christmas songs for the parish and Father Mark Rashkov gave out gifts of the icon of the Bethlehem Icon of the Virgin Marry to each parishioner. 

On Sunday December 17, 2023 the Parish of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist celebrated many wonderful occasions beginning with the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lycia (moved from December 19th). After Divine Liturgy, Father Mark congratulated Ava Levitsky on her birthday, Barbara Preciado on her name day, and the newly illuminated Sebastian on his first name day as an Orthodox Christian. 

Following coffee hour, the Sunday School children participated in a play dedicated to the life and miracles of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, directed by a Emma Pandorf. After the play, the children and Sunday School teachers received gifts from Saint Nicholas (Santa). 

The day concluded with Saint Anna's Altar Society holding their annual meeting, during which elections took place and events were discussed for the coming new year.  

On Saturday, December 16th, 2024, parishioners and friends of Nativity of Saint John's Church came together to decorate the church grounds for the holiday season. Much attention was given to both the inside and outside of the church building including the adjacent educational building and surrounding property. We thank our wonderful volunteers  for their time, energy, and especially for creating a wonderful atmosphere of fun and joy. 

On Sunday, November 26th, 2023, Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church wished the following parishioners a Happy Birthday, Karen Allmendinger, Brandy Pandorf, Pasquale LaMonaca, and Galina. The clergy and parishioners sang many years and wished them many years of joy, health, and a multitude of God's blessings. 

On November 18th, 2023, after great Vespers, Nativity of Saint John's Church hosted a Beefsteak Dinner in the church education building. Clergy, parishioners, neighbors, friends and families came together for a meal that was prepared by well known members of the Little Falls community, Jack Brown and his team. Among the guests were clergy from local Russian Orthodox parishes, Carmen Gaita of Gaita Memorial Home in Little Falls, NJ, and members of the Little Falls Township Council, Council President Anthony Sgobba, Councilwoman Christine Hablitz, and Councilman Michael Murphy. We thank all of our wonderful organizers of the event, our volunteers, and all of our guests for making it a festive, joyous and memorable evening for all.  

​On Sunday, November 12th, 2023 the parish community of Saint John's congratulated Nargiza Petruccelli and Maria Chuba on the occasion of their birthdays. Nargiza and Maria both have been helping the community for many years in all aspects of parish life. The clergy and faithful of the Nativity of Saint John's Church deeply appreciate their commitment and wish them many wonderful, healthy, and blessed years!