About Our Parish
“This parish was founded in 1930 for the purpose of religious worship and to perpetuate the memory of all Russians who gave their lives for their country and their faith during the tragic years of World War I and the Russian revolution.
”
History of St. Nicholas Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Primatial Cathedral
of the Orthodox Church in America
National War Memorial Shrine
Gateway to Orthodoxy in the Nation’s Capital
1930–1936: Incorporation of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas. Services held at Riggs Place, NW.
1936–1951: Services held at 1768 Church Street, NW in Washington, DC.
1951: Current location purchased.
1955: Basement of church completed.
1961–1962: St. Nicholas upper structure built upon existing foundation. Based on the Cathedral of St. Dimitry in Vladimir, Russia, it was designed by Anatoly Abramov-Neratoff, a specialist in Russian medieval church architecture.
1963: Consecration of church. Formally dedicated as the National War Memorial Shrine.
1965: Monthly English services begin.
1970: Orthodox Church in America officially granted autocephaly.
1971: Both English and Slavonic services held.
1978: St. Nicholas becomes Primatial Cathedral for Orthodox Church in America.
1980: Bishop Basil (Rodzianko) first to be consecrated at St. Nicholas.
1988: Belltower built to honor a millennium of Christianity in Russia and dedicated to St. Prince Vladimir and the baptism of Rus in 988.
1991–1994: A team of Russian iconographers design and execute iconography in the Russo-Byzantine style of the 12th century. Their work was completed in time for the official celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Orthodoxy in America.
St. Nicholas Clergy
1930–1937: The Reverend John Dorosh
1937–1977: Archpriest Paul T. Lutov
1952–1986: Archpriest Arkady Moiseyev
1969–2008: Archpriest Dmitry Grigorieff
1985–2011: Archpriest Constantine White
2002–present: Archpriest Valery Shemchuk
2012–present: Archpriest George Kokhno
Photos: Tim Markatos