CHURCH OF ALL RUSSIAN SAINTS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1 NUMBER 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2013
CHURCH OF ALL RUSSIAN SAINTS Burlingame, CA celebrates the 400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROMANOV DYNASTY
Message from Father Stefan
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in possible to eat properly, but if none are available, choose much” Luke 16:10 the least non-Lenten dishes on the table (menia skorom- niye bliuda). his year the wonderful American holiday, Thanksgiv- Ting, falls on Thursday, November 28th (Nov. 15th on While the first day of any fasting period is always stricter Julian Calendar) which is the first day of the Nativity Fast. than the following days, it is possible to have a pleasant The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad does not issue a Lenten meal on November 28th in deference to this God- dispensation to break the Nativity Fast on this day, but we pleasing legal holiday of our adopted country. If missing can still celebrate the holiday by attending the Thanksgiv- a turkey dinner is just too difficult, I suggest planning a ing Te Deum (moleben) that is always served on this day traditional feast on one of the non-fasting days before the at our Church and many others. beginning of the Nativity Fast. Our Sisterhood makes a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving dinner after Divine Russian Orthodox Christians are taught to always thank Liturgy on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Then that God for the many blessings that we receive by His mercy. evening or possibly Monday or Tuesday, enjoy a feast with The fact that we all live in this country of material abun- your family. dance, general safety and the freedom to attend Church services of our own faith, is indeed reason to praise and Keeping our Orthodox Christian fasting rules is important thank God. It is not a reason to abandon or break our to our spiritual life and the preservation of our religious Church Rules and customs. I call all our faithful to attend identity in the face of growing secularization and anti- church on Thanksgiving Day and with love and piety religious sentiments. As Orthodox Christians we should begin the Nativity Fasting season on this day. not be ashamed or afraid of witnessing our faith to the surrounding community. Remember the words of Our It’s understandable and acceptable that families who have Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: “Whosoever therefore shall non-Orthodox members would make accommodation to confess me before men, him will I confess also before attend the home of non-Orthodox in the spirit of hospi- my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32. Also, tality. However, be careful not to offend your non-Or- “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in thodox friends and relatives while fasting. The traditional much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in Thanksgiving dinner has many side dishes that make it much.” Luke 16:10 continued...
1 At the present time, many innocent The Burlingame Years of Archimandrite Christians around the world are Roman Krassovsky being tested for their faith. If we - Ludmilla Bobroff are not able to witness our faith in the simple matter of keeping our appointed Church Fasts, how can we expect to have the courage and strength to witness our faith if it is truly put to the test by anti-Chris- tian fanatics? I wish everyone a pleasant Thanks- giving. May we all enter the Nativ- ity Fast with joy and thanksgiving as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord.
Church of All Russian Saints A Parish of the Western American Dio- cese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad 744 El Camino Real, Burlingame, CA http://www.allrussiansaintsburlingame.org/ Rector: Mitred Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko Larissa Krassovsky with her son Archamandrite Roman Cell: (650) 430-9805 n the first Sunday of September, Vladyka Ioann. The future St. John Parish Newsletter Staff Misha Krassovsky, now known of Shanghai and San Francisco blessed Editor - Ludmilla Bobroff O as Archimandrite Roman, returned to their marriage in Tubabao and was a Art Designer - Xenia Maximow the Burlingame Church to serve Divine frequent guest at their house in Burlin- We welcome your suggestions on the Liturgy with Father Stefan. This time, game. type of articles you would like to see in however, he served not as an altar boy, the Parish Newsletter. Send your ideas not as a seminary student, not simply As the four brothers were growing up, to Ludmilla Bobroff at Ludmillaa@aol. as a monk, but as the Chief of the they marveled at the energy and dedi- com or telephone (408) 257-6918. Please Russian Ecclesiastical Mission of the cation their parents exhibited toward write Parish Newsletter in the Subject Line. Russian Church Abroad in Jerusalem. the Church, the Parish Russian School, Deadline is one month Beaming with pride during Liturgy was and the Russian Scouts. With time, all prior to publication. his mother, Larissa Krassovsky, as well four were drawn into the organizations Next Newsletter - JANUARY 2014 as long-time parishioners who remem- themselves. Schedule of services can be found on the bered Father Roman as a little boy, try- Church website: ing hard to keep up with his three older “When I was six years old, Vladyka http://allrussiansaintsburlingame.org/ brothers. Ioann saw me standing with my mother NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES in church and invited me into the al- The Church of All Russian Saints News- Born in San Mateo in 1959, Misha tar,” remembers Archimandrite Roman. letter can now be found on the church’s was the youngest of four sons born to “He gave me a stihar to wear (altar boy website at http://www.allrussiansaintsburl- Larissa and Vadim Vladimirovich Krass- robe), and asked me to hold his staff. I ingame.org/newsletter/ ovsky. The boys were named Vladi- have been in the altar ever since. The website has the current issue, as well as mir, Eugene, Alexander and Michael all past issues. (Misha). The parents were close to “Our childhood revolved completely
2 around the Church and the Russian considered various careers. Nothing choir. On April 20, 2013, His Emi- community. There was never a ques- appealed to him. In 1979, he took nence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and tion of not attending services. We over his older brother’s position as choir Germany elevated Hieromonk Roman always prayed at home. Our father was conductor of the Sts. Cyril and Metho- to the dignity of Archimandrite during strict. He may have yelled at us, but dius Russian School at the Cathedral Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension Con- I’m thankful for his reprimands. As for in San Francisco. The youth choir sang vent Cathedral on the Mount of Olives. school, I was more concerned about during early liturgies on Sundays. Then His new obedience was to administrate, bringing home good grades from Rus- in 1981 at age 22, he enrolled in Holy protect and oversee our clergy and sian School than from McKinley School Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, New properties, guide the monastics and pil- or Burlingame High School. Because of York, graduating three years later. grims in Jerusalem, and work together Russian School, we didn’t participate in with Archimandrite Isidor, the Mission any sports programs.” “As a gift, my parents sent me on a Chief from the Moscow Patriarchate. pilgrimage to the Holy Land,” continues While a number of priests served the Archimandrite Roman. “Afterward, I Today, in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Burlingame Parish over the years, the spent three weeks at Mt. Athos. That’s Roman leads a completely different life . one who influenced Misha the most was when I decided to become a monk and “I deal with people of different mentali- Protopresbyter Father Nikolai Masich. remain at the seminary.” ties and nationalities,” he says. “It helps He was rector during the construction that I’m located in the Holy Land. The of the five domed parish edifice we For 30 years, Fr. Roman took on many spiritual life is energizing. I’m a short know today. Archimandrite Roman obediences - working in the seminary walk from the place of the Ascension of remembers Vladyka Ioann blessing the office, running the cemetery, teaching Our Lord and just fifteen minutes away domes and the crosses in 1963 when the classes, and conducting the monastery from the burial site of the Mother of church was completed. God. The prayers of Bishop St. John continue to sustain “The repose of Father Nikolai not only me but our whole Masich affected me greatly,” family” said Archimandrite Roman. “He was like a grandfather What happened to the other to me and played a big role brothers? Vladimir Krassovsky in my life. For several years is an iconographer and head afterwards, we had temporary choir director of the Holy priests who served only a short Virgin Cathedral in San Fran- time. Consequently, sixteen cisco. Evgeny Krassovsky is an dedicated altar boys took over ascetic monk in seclusion. Fr. various duties. We became a Alexander Krassovsky is the family, building the cathedra rector of Saints Peter and Paul which is brought out when Church in Santa Rosa. Their the bishop serves. We sewed father, Vadim Vladimirovich, the curtain behind the Royal reposed in November 1988 at Doors, built frames for icons the age of 76. Their mother, and made prosphora. We paid Larissa Krassovsky, is a volun- for these additions with dona- teer extraordinaire, working tions given to us by communi- with great enthusiasm not only cants.” in the Burlingame Church but in Santa Rosa and San Fran- After graduating from Burl- cisco as well. ingame High School in 1977, Misha attended College of Dressed in their St. George Pathfinders uniforms are the Krassovsky Truly, Bishop St. John has San Mateo for several years and family: (l to r) Evgeny, Larissa, Vadim Vladimirovich and Vladimir. blessed this family. (Second row, l to r) Misha and Alexander.
3 BAPTISED Meet the New Treasurer - Alexei Baranoff
At its regular meeting AUGUST on September 19, 2013, the Parish Council of the Andrei Martinov Simon Burak Church of All Russian Nina Koltzova-Rang Saints confirmed Alexei Baranoff as our new trea- SEPTEMBER surer, replacing Shura Ossipoff who is retiring Roan Anatoli Delehanty from the position. Daniel Troshin Yunona Troshin Although Alexei was Dennis Grimkov born and raised in Bryte, California (now known as West Sacramento), he MARRIED spent a lot of time in the San Francisco Bay Area visiting his grandparents There were no Marriages who lived in the Rich- in the Months of August mond District. He also and September attended summer camps organized by St. George Pathfinders.
REPOSED IN THE LORD Alexei works for Con-Quest Contractors, Inc, a General Engineering Con- struction firm based in San Francisco. It performs major construction work AUGUST throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. He has been Project Manager in the Heavy Industrial Sector for the last five years. Yulia Medlenova Since moving to San Francisco in 2008, Alexei has attended the Burlingame SEPTEMBER Church. He married Anastasia Kotar in July 2011. She is the daughter of Fr. Nikolai Wilson Alexei and Matushka Natalia Kotar of Seattle, Washington. Fr. Alexei is rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle. Right from the start, the young couple became active in our Church. Anastasia sings in the choir. Alexei was elected to the Parish Council. LIVESTREAM SERVICES “I was always raised to help and participate in church,” says Alexei. “Be- For those who are home bound or hospitalized and are not able to attend sides, I can’t sing like my wife. I had to do something to pull my weight.” Services at the Church Of All Russian During weekends, the young couple like to entertain friends and Alexei Saints (COARS), we have enabled live enjoys playing golf. But there is little free time for him. Alexei has been video streaming via the Internet. All live and previously recorded Services the Church’s project manager for the renovation of the large cupola last year can be viewed here: and is now the project manager for the repair of the four small cupolas. www.new.livestream.com/COARS Please welcome Alexei Baranoff (or Alyosha by his nickname).
4 Theological Question for Father Stefan
Does the Orthodox Church Approve of Cremation?
ANSWER -Protoierei Stefan Pavlenko Because our bodies are sanctified throughout our lifetime, Apostle Paul tells us we should be aware that our bodies Two of our many Christian duties and responsibilities are are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We should respect and to properly bury our Orthodox relatives and to make sure keep our bodies pure and holy. Religions such as Bud- the poor are buried in a dignified manner. The question dhism, Hinduism, paganism, and atheism consider the then arises, can Orthodox Christians be cremated and if spirit to be good but material things to be evil. Therefore, not, what are the burial options? they reject the importance and sanctity of the physical body and condone cremation. For the past two thousand years, the usual form of burial for Orthodox Christians has been either interment, which is burial directly into the ground, or entombment, which Burials Mentioned in Scripture consists of placing the dead in a mausoleum. Both meth- Many burials are mentioned in the Old and New Testa- ods are acceptable. When a person dies, the soul leaves the ments. The supreme examples are Holy Lazarus being body and stands before God who created it. Meanwhile, raised from the dead on the fourth day and Our Lord Jesus the body is buried in the earth and after decomposing Christ Himself being entombed - not cremated - before returns to the earth. (“Earth thou art and unto the earth His Resurrection. The Holy Relics of the Saints are also shall thou return!”) At the Last Dread Judgment, everyone examples of the sanctity of our remains (ostanki). will be resurrected. Our souls will return to our regener- What happens if an Orthodox Christian is cremated? In ated bodies and we will stand before God and all of man- such a case, no services are appointed at the time of death kind to be judged according to our deeds. nor during cremation (no panihidas or otpivanye). How- ever, after the 40th day, a commemorative panihida service Our Body is a Temple can be served and commemorations may begin during the When we are born, special prayers are said for us and our Divine Liturgy as for any reposed Orthodox Christian. birth mother. On the eighth day, more prayers are said Take a look at this informative 18-minutes vid- and we are assigned our Christian name. On the 40th day, eo on cremation: http://www.youtube.com/ we are Churched. On the day we’re Christened, our body watch4?v=kHo74iNd5Q4 is anointed with oil, Baptised and Chrismated. Through- out our life, we are blessed with holy oil and holy water. (If you wish to submit a theological question for Father Most importantly, we receive the True Body and True Stefan’s consideration to be answered in the next issue of Blood of Our Lord as sacred food for our body and our the Church Newsletter, please email it to stefanvpavlen- spirit during the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. [email protected])
5 Stewardship Message 2012, I believe the program has been responsible for unify- - Dimitry Bobroff ing the parishioners and developing a spiritual community in our parish. In addition, the increased financial gifting In 2007, Mila and I attended a lecture given by Bishop has allowed us to decrease our monthly operating deficit Kallistos Ware at the Greek Orthodox Annunciation and allowed us to pursue expensive projects such as badly Cathedral in Oakland, California. Upon entering the hall, needed repairs of the large cupola last year and the current we encountered a number of hosts wearing large badges repair of the four smaller cupolas. Unfortunately, we have stating “My Name is So-and-So. I am a Steward of the learned that the hidden damage to these small cupolas is Annunciation Cathedral.” This was the first time I heard much more extensive than we anticipated, resulting in the term used outside of stewards on ships and airplanes. much higher repair costs. Being curious, I asked what it meant? The host answered, “Each one of us is given by God certain talents to pro- The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who has vide materially for our well-being as well as to share with responded to our appeal to become a Steward. others. As such, it is our responsibility to take care of our church, our spiritual family home, both financially and with our talents.” He wore his badge with pride (in the 2013 Stewards good sense) and with honor. Anastasia and Alexei Baranoff In 2011, I attended the Western American Diocesan As- Ludmilla and Dimitry Bobroff sembly at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco. Olga and Warren Cane Father Alexander Krassovsky gave a report on the Steward- Katherine (Kolenko) and Brian Ching ship Program at his St. Peter and Paul Church in Santa Alexei Fomitchev Rosa. He explained how the program helped to develop Luba Gaushieldt a real community spirit among the diverse cultural back- Pelagia and William Gilchrist grounds of his parishioners and how it vastly improved the Elena (Gousseva) and Dallas Grove material well-being of the parish. At that meeting, Father Irina and Alexei Irklienko Stefan and I discussed his exciting report and decided to Mara and Alex Klestoff bring it up at our next Parish Council meeting. Lana and Vladimir Kondrasheff Patricia and Nikita Korens In the past, the parishioners of the Burlingame Church Nicholas Koretsky were very homogeneous, consisting of White Russians Larissa Krassovsky who immigrated to California either from the Far East or Sonia and Peter Loukianoff Europe. After leaving Russia, they were eager to preserve Xenia and Andrew Maximow their heritage and culture by building churches and com- George Misersky munity organizations. Natalia Mishko Ivan Musil At the present time, our parishioners are diverse - old Yulia and Grigory Novikov Russian immigrants, newly-arrived Russian immigrants, Lula and Alexander Ossipoff native-born American converts to Orthodoxy, Orthodox Olga and Boris Parr from various countries, mixed marriages, children who no Matushka Tatiana and Father Stefan Pavlenko longer speak Russian, etc. Evelina and Lamont Phemister Vera Polskaya Since we launched the Stewardship Program in April
6 We encourage you to sign up to be a Steward for the re- maining months of 2013, and to renew your pledge for 2014 in January. If you can’t afford to pledge a financial amount, please fill out the Stewardship Form if you can share some of your talents such as singing in the choir, baking prosphoras, joining the Sisterhood, making pelmeni, helping at fund-raising events, teaching at the church school, doing electric work, plumbing, painting, general handyman, etc.
The financial pledges help us plan our budget for the year and hopefully will allow us to develop a balanced budget for 2014. Damage to the cupolas is greater than expected.
2013 Stewards
Ioanna and Roman Ponomarev Marina and Andrei Roudenko Sonja and Nick Shevelyov Anastasia Sky Maria Sky Valentina Tolstoguzeva Yulia Voroninskaya Helen and James Wiant Kolya Koretsky scrapes paint off the rental property garage. Other notable donors to the Stewardship Program Church Council Members
Anonymous Donor of the Paschal Choir Gift V. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, Rector (650) 430-9805 Brookside Skilled Nursing Ivan Afanasiev, Warden (650) 589-7617 Burlingame Russian Craft Faire Alexei Baranoff, Treasurer (916) 799-0898 Burlingame Church Rummage Sale Yura Misersky, Secretary (650) 579-2667 Church of All Russian Saints Sisterhood Church Fellowship Coffee Hour Head Sister Con-Quest Contractors, Inc Matushka Tatiana Pavlenko (650) 430-9806 Saint John of Kronstadt Care Center Choir Director Larissa Rodzianko-Friesen Andrei Roudenko (650) 922-0250 Alex Naterzon Shura Ossipoff (650) 697-1078 Newsletter Sales Directory Advertisers Dimitry Bobroff (408) 257-6918 Newsletter Print Edition Sponsors Nikolai Koretsky (650) 492-8237 Olga and Andrew Schafranek Andrei Maximow (408) 218-3922 The Royal Chicken Society Eggery Alexei Parshooto (650) 583-2840 Irina Vinioukova Marina Roudenko (650) 483-3412
7 Jean Voytan with goddaughter Tonsured Mother Tatiana
Remembering Jean Voytan December 9, 1932 to Pierce and Nan Rogers, an Anglican (Mother Tatiana) Protestant family. Her father was a soldier, then a lawyer with a degree from Harvard University. Nan Rogers was a - Olga Parr teacher. Jean had a happy childhood, taking ballet lessons, attending the World’s Fair in 1939-40 and working in a On September 2, 2013, Mother Tatiana, known to many doll factory. Her family moved to the Peninsula in 1950. of us as Jean Voytan, departed this life in the small town From an early age, Jean was drawn to Russian music. She of Viritsa, 40 miles from St. Petersburg, Russia. She had would run to the radio if a Russian composition was play- been tonsured a rassaphore nun several years ago and given ing, having no idea who was the composer. She gave her the name Tatiana by a priest in the Moscow Patriarchate dolls and stuffed animals Russian names She wanted to who later became a bishop. Viritsa, where she is buried, study Russian at Stanford University but her father refused is famous for Saint Seraphim of Viritsa (1866-1949), a to pay her tuition if she picked that major. Only after monastic who spent the last twenty years of his life pray- his death did her mother allow her to follow this interest. ing, consoling pilgrims, working miracles and foretelling However, Jean never finished Stanford due to an acciden- the future. Saint Seraphim is buried at the Holy Virgin tal head injury that curtailed her studies. It took years of of Kazan Church in Viritsa. Perhaps, it was the saint who classes at various colleges before she received her degree drew Jean to this village. and credential. I remember Jean as a deeply religious friend, wife, mother, Meanwhile, she met Charles Voytan Sr., who was in the and teacher of non-Russian-speaking children in the Burl- military. The two married and lived in Japan, Wake ingame Russian School. She was born in San Francisco on
8 Island, and Europe while Charles found similarities between remote News from the pursued his military career. languages and common ones. Sisterhood Jean traveled to Russia many times - Matushka Tanya Pavlenko In 1960, they moved to Burlingame with Catherine Gray, with ladies in and Charles Jr. (known as Vasya) was our parish and on her own, realizing Children’s Craft Fair born. While Charles Sr. continued her dream of immersing herself in It was wonderful to see the happy, serving overseas for some time, Jean the language, culture and religion of excited faces of children from taught English as a Second Language that country. Preparing kulichi and our parish and other churches, in Millbrae. She also met Catherine pascha became a tradition with her participating in the Second Annual Gray who was a parishioner in our and Patricia Gray, Catherine’s rela- Children’s Craft Fair. Organized Church. Catherine introduced Jean tive. When Vasya signed up for the by Xenia Maximow, the event to Orthodoxy, took her to Church, two-week Russian Scout Camp, she provided craft material for children and helped her with her Russian. A volunteered - two summers in a row - to decorate cookies, create woodland few years later, Jean was baptized into to cook for over 100 people, alongside animal masks, and make paper the Orthodox Church and Catherine Mila Assur and Larissa Krassovsky. butterflies. Older children and some Gray became her godmother. Both Impressed with her new friend, Mila parents sewed little matryoshka Charles Sr. and Vasya became Ortho- asked Jean to become the godmother dolls and stuffed them with organic dox at a later date. There is an icon of of her youngest son. wool. Everyone enjoyed hamburgers St. Catherine on the right side of the with all the fixings, grilled by Oleg Bolshakoff. Proceeds from this event Church near the door going down- Those carefree days came to an end went to the Cupola Restoration stairs. It was commissioned by Jean when Charles Sr. became very ill. Jean Fund. and gifted to the Church. hired a visitor from Russia named
Vladimir to take care of him. After Father Stefan’s 40th I became Jean’s friend when our boys Charles died, she continued working Anniversary attended Russian School together. To until her health began failing. Her old The following Sunday on September help students who did not speak Rus- head injury started acting up. Many 29, we celebrated Father Stefan’s sian, Jean applied her ESL skills (Eng- of her friends, who were her support 40th anniversary of his ordination to lish as a Second Language) to help group, passed away or moved else- the priesthood. Archbishop Kyrill them learn. She created games, such where. Nevertheless, she continued to and Bishop Theodosy served Divine as picture bingo with children iden- travel to Russia with Vladimir’s help, Liturgy. Other guests included tifying her illustrations in Russian. often staying at a monastery for an local clergy, as well as Father Boris She was a good artist and painted an extended time. Most likely, she was Henderson from Denver, Colorado, icon for me. planning the next phase of her life. Father Andrei Sommer from Man- hatttan, New York City, and Father Our conversations were never mun- In July 2013, she left Burlingame Stefan’s goddaughter, Xenia Drobot, dane. We talked about Orthodoxy in for the last time. On August 28, from upstate New York. The Sister- Ancient Russia, as well as Irish mis- the Feast of Dormition of the Holy hood prepared a festive lunch with sionaries and their influence on Rus- Theotokos, Mother Tatiana suffered the help of Daniel Dubinsky, who sian Christianity. Jean was a phenom- a stroke. On September 2, her heart barbequed authentic and delicious enal researcher who revisited the Holy stopped. She was 81 years old. Her shashlik. The Sisterhood also pre- Grail legend. She concluded that the earthly journey to the land which she sented Father Stefan with the gift of Holy Grail was simply a metaphor for loved since childhood was completed. a new laptop computer. Thank you, Holy Liturgy, a treasure passed on to She is buried in Viritsa. I loved her everyone, who helped and partici- us. She also studied languages and very much. God rest her soul. pated in these two events. continued...
9 Wanted: Prosphora Bakers Annual Rummage Sale Larissa Krassovsky, chairwoman for many years of our annual rummage sale, did it again! On Oct. 26 & 27, Do you like to bake? Father Stefan is looking for volunteers to help she and her helpers conducted a suc- him bake prosphora twice a month in the Church kitchen. He would cessful sale of used clothing, house- like to train a group of men and women in the art of preparing the hold goods, books, jewelry, and dough, kneading it, forming it into proper shapes, then baking nine decorative items. Thank you, Larissa trays of prosphora. and ladies, for all your hard work.
His helpers, so far, have been Larissa Krassovskaya, Svetlana Taran, Volunteers Needed Yuliya Voroninskaya, Andrei Maximow and Matushka Tanya. Even For many years Maria Ivanovna little Millie Maximow has helped with great enthusiasm. One time, Miserskaya took it upon herself to Lyubov Vladimirovna Vinokurova, wife of the former Consul General change the church vestments to the of the Russian Federation, lent a hand. proper color for the Holy Day or season. After Maria Ivanovna passed away, Pavel Roudenko enthusiasti- The baking sessions are usually held on Friday mornings, twice a cally accepted this responsibility. month, starting at 7 a.m. Around 9 a.m., the three five-pound bags of Now, Pavel’s work and school obliga- flour are transformed into plump buns and placed on trays. Between tions have increased. He is having 2 and 2:30 p.m., the job is completed. If a Liturgy is scheduled on a difficult time keeping up with a Friday, baking day is moved to Tuesdays. Before major Holy Days his commitment. We need a vol- such as Pascha and the Nativity, baking may take place two weeks in unteer (or two) to take on this job. a row. In short, the more volunteers sign up, the better the chance Pavel is willing to help out whenever the new volunteer has scheduling Father Stefan won’t be baking alone. problems. Please contact Matushka Tatiana Pavlenko at (650) 430-9806 “I would like to be able to count on two people helping me at all or [email protected] for more baking sessions,” says Father Stefan. “I will be demonstrating how to details. make prosphora on Friday, November 8th, starting at 8 a.m. If that is Upcoming Events not convenient for the majority of helpers, I can start at 9 a.m. Work- Nov. 10 - Luncheon ing the dough (raskladka) will take place at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.” Nov. 24 - Thanksgiving Turkey Lunch Since baking prosphora is a holy act, women should not be menstruat- Dec. 8 - Gingerbread ing, nor should married couples have marital relations the prior night. Workshop for Children Dec. 15 - Luncheon featuring If you are interested in joining this baking team, please contact Father fish kotleti Stefan at [email protected] or telephone him at (650) 430- Pelmeni-Making Days 9805. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 If you can help, come to the Church Hall anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call Luba Gauschieldt for more information. (650) 591-1605
10 With Heartfelt Gratitude In addition, I would like to thank the following for their - Protoierei Stefan Pavlenko kind words and generous gifts: Director of our Church School, A. N. Miroshnichenko; Mr. John Crosby of Crosby N. Gray Funeral Home; Mr. George Kumansky The 40th anniversary of my ordination into the priesthood and members of the Board of Directors of Saint John is a day I will never forget. I would like to thank His Emi- Kronstadt Care Center in Castro Valley, and especially nence Archbishop Kyrill, His Grace Bishop Theodosy and Mr. Svet Danich and the Board of Directors of Brookside the Synod of Bishops of our Russian Orthodox Church Skilled Nursing in San Mateo for their love, support and Abroad for honoring me with the Order of the Kursk Root very generous gift to our parish, designated to help acquire Icon of the Mother of God, Third Class. I pray that in the a new vehicle for the rector. future, the Lord will make me worthy of such an award! I thank His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill and His Grace I am also deeply thankful to many who have already Bishop Theodosy for celebrating Divine Liturgy and at- departed this world: my parents, Vladimir Stepanovich tending the luncheon afterwards. Pavlenko and Maria Dmitrievna nee Schatiloff for their Christian example, guidance and vospitaniye; to my god- I thank Protodeacon Sergei Shoomiloff for his support and parents Archpriest Vladimir Schatiloff and Tatiana Mi- co-celebration of the services. chaelovna Wright Hicks nee Mossolova; to Metropolitan Lavr, Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky), Archbishop Averky I thank the Parish Council, the Sisterhood and the Church (Toushev), Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev), Bishop Choir for the organization and wonderful execution of this Daniel (Alexandrow) and his mother Elena Dmitrievna, event, as well as their thoughtful gifts. who taught me to read Slavonic.
I thank our Parishioners, Stewards and the faithful for Plus I remember with great love Archpriest Nicholas their love and support. Your generous gift is much appre- Martsishevsky, the priest of my hometown parish where ciated. I started serving as a little boy in the altar of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Vineland, New Jersey. Al- I especially thank my talented and dear wife Matushka Ta- ways in my heart are the monks of the Holy Trinity Mon- tiana and all the members of my immediate family: Alexei, astery in Jordanville, New York - Archimandrite Kiprian Stephanie, and Roman; Xenia, Andrei, Anthony, Melania (Pyjov), Archimandrite Sergei (Romburg), Hieromonk and Stefan; Olga, Andrei and Elena. Ioan (Milander), Hieromonk Theodore (Hoffheins), nuns Mother Magdalina (Grabbe), and my grandmother, My thanks also go to the clergy who attended the service Mother Mariam (Schatilova nee Countess Maria Tolstoy). and co-celebrated the Divine Liturgy: V. Rev. Archpriest Andrei Sommer (who grew up in Burlingame and married Finally, my deepest gratitude go to all my fellow priests Tatiana’s niece, Natalia); V. Rev. Archpriest Alexei Kotar, and deacons, especially my Duhovnik Archpriest Alexan- dean of our Diocese in the Northwest and der Krassovsky, rector of Saints Peter and Paul Church in V. Rev. Archpriest Boris Henderson, rector of the Church Santa Rosa. I have always felt great love and support from of All Russian Saints in Denver. my Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary Graduation Class of 1971, especially from Bishop Peter (Loukianoff), Bishop Other clergy who attended the service and/or joined us for Jerome (Shaw), Archpriest Alexander Lebedev, Deacon the banquet were: V. Rev. Archimandrite Iriney Steenberg; Vitaly Kichakov and George Cheremeteff. And of course, V. Rev. Archpriest Peter Perekrestov of the Holy Virgin a very special thanks to Archpriest Vsevolod Drobot for his Cathedral in San Francisco; Rev. Priest Dimitri Jakimow- example, advice, wisdom and prayers. icz of St. Herman Church in Sunnyvale; Rev. Priest Daniel Reese of Saint Silouan Orthodox Church in Walla Walla, The Lord has surrounded me with phenomenal people Washington; Rev. Deacon Andrei Garine of the Holy Vir- throughout my life and I am deeply grateful to all of you. gin Cathedral in San Francisco.
11 Father stefan’s 40th anniversary into the priesthood Sunday, September 29, 2013
Fr. Stefan receives the Order of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, Third Class from Archbishop Kyrill. Bishop Theodosy also served during the Divine Liturgy.
12 Father Stefan greets guests Lana Kondrasheff and Tanya Ionoff serve lunch
Archimandrite Iriney gives a speech Guests enjoy the singing of 11-year-old Liza Nadelson
From left; Andrei, Elena and Olga Schafranek; Matushka Tania, Father Stefan, Roman, Stephanie and Alexei Pavlenko; Melania, Xenia, Andrei and Stefan Maximow
13 2nd annual Kids craft Fair Sunday, September 22, 2013
Children from the Motoviloff, Maximow and Klestoff families, as well as outside guests, enjoy decorating cookies and making animal masks at the Craft Fair.
14 SALES DIRECTORY
Please support our advertisers. All proceeds from ad sales go to the Stewardship Fund. If you would like your business card to appear in the January/February issue of the Newsletter, please contact Dimitry Bobroff at [email protected] Cost is $25. Deadline for submitting cards and sending checks (made out to Church of All Russian Saints) is December 1.
Alteration - Dressmaking - Tailoring Appraisal Services
Nostalgia Design Wedding and Evening Studio Dresses, Custom since 1989 Designs, Embroidery, Hats, Purses, Clothing Alteration Redesign and Resizing, Dressmaking Overcoats,, Swimsuits, Tailoring Leather, Suede, Velvet Costumes, Children's Olga Taylor Clothes, and much more (650) 712-8016
Dentist Gifts from Russia
Firefly Gifts Tanya Bolshakoff 650-291-7289 [email protected]
Imported hand painted, hand carved gift items from Russia. Year round gifts include Santa's, Christmas Ornaments, Nesting Dolls, Inspired Faberge Eggs, Pendants and other unique gift items.
Physician Marine Supplies
Boat Sales & Service Mecruiser, Volvo Penta, Crusader, Honda, Indmar
Gene Colver 14090 Hwy 160 Walnut Grove, CA 95690 (916) 776-1370 Fax (916) 776-0046 [email protected]
15 Real Estate Real Estate
Real Estate Remodeling
BK Builders Custom Home Remodeling/Finish Work Carpentry/Plumbing Brian Ching (Kolenko) (760) 468-7933 [email protected]
Skin Care Product Solving Network Problems
The Nerium Experience Accidental Discovery in Biotechnology One product for multiple concerns 30 day money back guarantee Security and Network Solutions for "You have nothing to lose but wrinkles" Large Infrastructures Eugenia Kolenko (650) 576-7702 http://www.citsus.com/ http://www.eugeniakolenko.nerium.com/ Kathy Kolenko [email protected] (650) 390-0146
Stationery/Graphic Design THANK YOU H DESIG XENIA MAXIMOW to AS N 650.430.4538 B S [email protected] R E @paperbash
Tanya and Oleg P
A Bolshakoff P www.paperbashdesigns.com @paperandbash for graciously sponsoring the graphic design � letterpress � personal and business stationery cost of this issue. invitations for all occasions
Printed with the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. 16