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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 Saturday December 16, 2024, the Sunday School of Nativity of Saint John's Church hosted gingerbread-house making. Parents and children came together to take part in holiday cheer and joy. The gingerbread houses are then traditionally used as center pieces the next day for the Saint Nicholas Day play and continue to decorate the parish dining area throughout the season. 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!
On November 11th, 2023, Nativity of Saint John's Sunday School hosted a Thanksgiving craft event for children and their relatives. Participants spend the afternoon creating unique edible Fall arrangements that were then used the following day at the parish annual Thanksgiving Potluck.
On Sunday, October 22, 2023, the Sunday School of Nativity of Saint John's Church had it's first event of the year, apple picking in Warwick, NY. After Divine Liturgy, parents, children, and teachers spent the afternoon enjoying the orchards and engaging in fellowship. Father Mark spoke to the children about various topics pertaining to the Orthodox faith. |
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On Sunday, October 1, 2023, after Divine Liturgy, clergy, faithful, friends, family, neighbors, and guests came together for the annual Saint John's Picnic which took place at the Saint John's parish picnic grounds. The Parish sold traditional slavic dishes to guests from New Jersey and New York. Many activities were offered to families and children of all ages. Among the distinguished guests were members of the Little Falls Township Council, Little Falls Council President Anthony Sgobba, Councilman Christopher Vancheri, and Councilwoman Christine Halbitz. Live music was provided by well-known local musicians, "Lou Conti The American Expression."
Going back decades, it has been a long-standing tradition of Saint John's Church in Little Falls, NJ to hold an annual picnic which has become a favorite event not only among parish members but neighbors and residents of neighboring towns and communities as well. This is a great opportunity to enjoy ethnic food, live music, and to meet new friends and fellow Orthodox Christians. Be sure to join us next year!
Going back decades, it has been a long-standing tradition of Saint John's Church in Little Falls, NJ to hold an annual picnic which has become a favorite event not only among parish members but neighbors and residents of neighboring towns and communities as well. This is a great opportunity to enjoy ethnic food, live music, and to meet new friends and fellow Orthodox Christians. Be sure to join us next year!
On Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Sunday after the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, after Divine Liturgy, a moleben was served for students and the beginning of the school year. After the sermon, Priest Mark Rashkov offered a few words of encouragement to the students and wished them a fruitful and successful school year. As the faithful venerated the decorated cross, Father Mark blessed everyone with holy water.
On Tuesday, September 27, 2023 the clergy and faithful of Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ celebrated the feast of the Holy Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At the end of Festal Vespers, the Cross was solemnly processed with from the altar and placed in the center of the church for veneration.
The celebrations continued on Wednesday, September 28th, on the actual day of the feast with the celebration of Divine Liturgy at which the cross was glorified and venerated as the choir sang "Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify."
The floral decorations were offered by St. Ann's Society and by numerous parishioners.
Feast of The Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John and 9/11 memorial
9/11/2023
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, the clergy and faithful of Saint John's church in Little Falls, NJ celebrated the feast of the Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John with Great Vespers at 2pm followed by a memorial service for all of the Orthodox Christians that died during the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001. On Monday, September 11th, prayers for the departed and servants of God and their families continued during Divine Liturgy during which, the church bells rang at the corresponding times of the tragic events of 9/11/2001.
On August 30th, 2023, Victoria (Vicky) Duin, a life-long parishioner and most beloved member of the Saint John's parish community fell asleep in the Lord. On the day of her passing, the rector of Saint John's Church, Rev. Fr. Mark Rashkov served a memorial service for Victoria at Saint John's Russian Orthodox Church in Little Falls, NJ. On Friday, August 1st, the third day of her passing, Parishioners of Saint John's Church, friends and family members all gathered at Gaita Memorial Home for the viewing and to join in prayer as Father Mark served a parastas for Victoria. The following morning, on Saturday, August 2nd, after divine liturgy, Victoria's funeral took place at Saint John's Church after which, Family members recalled their fondest memories of Victoria. Afterwards, Victoria was buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, NJ.
Vicky is remembered by all as a very active and integral part of all church activities. She chaired many events (Pierogi making, selling Shop Rite Coupons to name a few). She was the President of St. Anna's Altar Society. She was a former Committee Member. Moreover, she was always first on Sunday to help sell candles and greet everyone with a Good Morning!! Vicky was one of a kind, always ready and willing to help anyone in need. The entire Saint John's community expresses their condolences to Victoria's family and prays that our Lord and God make her memory eternal!
Victoria's obituary may be read on the Gaita Memorial Home website:
https://www.gaitamh.com/obituaries
Vicky is remembered by all as a very active and integral part of all church activities. She chaired many events (Pierogi making, selling Shop Rite Coupons to name a few). She was the President of St. Anna's Altar Society. She was a former Committee Member. Moreover, she was always first on Sunday to help sell candles and greet everyone with a Good Morning!! Vicky was one of a kind, always ready and willing to help anyone in need. The entire Saint John's community expresses their condolences to Victoria's family and prays that our Lord and God make her memory eternal!
Victoria's obituary may be read on the Gaita Memorial Home website:
https://www.gaitamh.com/obituaries
Many years to Vladimir and Daria celebrating their anniversary, to Ludmila on her birthday, and to baby Hope on her baptism last week and churching and first communion today!
God grant you all many years!
And Father Aleksey's last Sunday at the parish.
God grant you all many years!
And Father Aleksey's last Sunday at the parish.
Happy birthday to Anna, the parish president Jamie, our choir director Sergey, and Svetlana!
And a blessed first communion to baby Mila.
God grant you all many years!
And a blessed first communion to baby Mila.
God grant you all many years!
On All Saints Sunday we gave thanks to the Lord for the school year that is coming to an end, for our Sunday School children and their teachers, as well as our high school graduate Daniel.
June, one of our Sunday School teachers, also celebrated her birthday.
Many and blessed years to each and all!
We thank You, O Lord, for guiding us and giving us wisdom to teach our children both at home and in church. If we have lacked in giving them proper Christian example, O God, we humbly ask You and pray You to forgive us and to enlighten our minds and our hearts to follow the correct path of Your commandments.
June, one of our Sunday School teachers, also celebrated her birthday.
Many and blessed years to each and all!
We thank You, O Lord, for guiding us and giving us wisdom to teach our children both at home and in church. If we have lacked in giving them proper Christian example, O God, we humbly ask You and pray You to forgive us and to enlighten our minds and our hearts to follow the correct path of Your commandments.
Congratulations to the newly-baptized Georgia, to her parents and sponsors!
Happy birthday to Natallia!
God grant you all many and blessed years!
Happy birthday to Natallia!
God grant you all many and blessed years!
Baptismal Liturgy
Many years to the newly-baptized Luka, and to Nicholas upon his graduation from college, and to Jason and Barbara on their birthdays!
Our young artists, under the guidance of Vlad, have been perfecting their art.
Happy birthday to James, Fr Aleksey, and Anna!
God grant them many years!
God grant them many years!
Palm Sunday
Our Father (Отче Наш) in Church Slavonic
Palm Sunday Procession
PASCHA
Christ is risen!
Indeed He is risen!
Paschal Gospel reading in 13 languages: English, Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian, Serbian, Tadjik, Dutch, German.
We beat last year's record of 11!
We beat last year's record of 11!
A beautiful rendition of Our Father by the choir.
The young ladies of the choir sang The Angel Cried (missing the beginning, though) during the clergy communion.
Happy birthday to Greg, Judy, and Walter!
Happy anniversary to Gene and Maryann!
And a blessed churching and first communion to Athena!
God grant them many years!
Happy anniversary to Gene and Maryann!
And a blessed churching and first communion to Athena!
God grant them many years!
A talk on farming and gardening by Anthony Bracco.
A bit from Christmas:
A happy and blessed birthday to Bill, Alina, Grozdana, Gene, Anastasia!
And the newly-baptized Dmitri received his first Communion.
God grant them many years!
And the newly-baptized Dmitri received his first Communion.
God grant them many years!
New kids' class - basics of visual arts. Offered by Vlad Guzner.
Theophany:
After 17 years (!) as a Parish Council president, Gregory Karol has decided to step down (and take up another position). We are grateful for his dedicated and faithful service to the Lord Jesus and the parish in the capacity of the president.
May the Lord grant him and his family many and blessed years!
May the Lord grant him and his family many and blessed years!
