The Russian Orthodox Church is one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations. Founded in the Mediterranean region and Eastern Europe, it has more than 200 million members worldwide.
On October 19, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, visited Our Lady of Vladimir Russian Orthodox Mission, San Jose, California. In addition to celebrating Divine Liturgy, he ordained Fr Rafael Martinez-Gonzalez and Fr Daniel Rodriguez as clergymen.
Table of Contents
Orthodox Church
A group of Orthodox Christians, living in the south of San Jose, asked His Grace, Bishop Anthony, to help them organize a mission church. Under his leadership, a Growth and Expansion Team was formed to increase the outreach of the Orthodox Christian faith in this part of the city.
In order to raise funds for this venture, a parish council was organized. The first donations were made by Mr. Margelus Burga, a German citizen who was the main donor for the construction of the new church.
Another substantial donation came from Emil Lambrache, who wished to contribute to the building of the new church. Throughout the years, many other generous donors have helped this church grow.
The church currently has over 125 active parishioners. They attend the liturgy on Sundays and Holy Days, and regularly participate in church activities.
This community was established in the late 1970s when Fr. Sarbu performed the Holy Mass two times a month at a chapel built inside the house of one of the priests in the area.
After some time, it was decided to build a church on a more permanent basis. The parish council began looking for a property, and the current one at 1401 South White Road was found.
It was also decided to renovate the existing church building. This was done over several years, starting in 1981.
As a result of these efforts, the church was completed in 1987. During the renovation, an iconostasis was installed and stained glass windows were added to the interior.
Today, the Saint Basil Russian Orthodox Church, San Jose, California is a vibrant church community that welcomes all who wish to come and worship God in an Orthodox Christian setting. The parish is a member of the American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and it continues to grow and prosper.
The church is also a center of spiritual and educational growth, as well as a place of fellowship and friendship for the members of the parish.
Russian Church
The Russian Orthodox Church is a faith-based organization that has served the Bay Area since its inception in 1952. It’s a community of believers that is as diverse as the city it serves. Whether you are looking for a family friendly environment or an opportunity to serve your community, you will find something to suit your needs at the Russian church.
The church itself is located at 1401 South White Road in San Jose, California and is open to the public Monday through Saturday. The church also offers several services to help keep your faith strong including a parish care ministry, a youth program and a thriving preschool.
Throughout the year, the church also hosts a variety of special events and programs that are sure to please your family and friends. These include an annual Christmas party, a monthly men’s prayer group and many others. You can learn more about these special events by visiting the church’s website or by contacting the church office directly.
The Russian church has an active membership of about 3,000 and has a plethora of activities to keep you busy during the week. The best part of being a member of the church is having access to a wealth of resources for spiritual growth. The church is also home to a number of organizations aimed at helping the local community.
