Programs
St. Petersburg Children’s
Hospice
In 2003, through a grant from Saint Mark’s
Church in the World disbursement fund, the Russian Parish Partnership helped Fr. Alexander
Tkachenko launch the first children’s hospice in all of Russia. Through our continuing support, the hospice now
provides 70 needy families with medical, psychological, and spiritual support during a
very difficult time in their lives. Fr.
Alexander frequently visits the Seattle area, and has visited Saint Mark’s Cathedral
several times to talk about his work with the hospice.
In April 2004, a group of pilgrims from Saint Mark’s visited the
hospice, where they met the staff, learned how the hospice is run, and heard the stories
of some of the children.
Church of “Kulich and
Paskha”
Saint Mark’s has had a partnership with
Holy Trinity Church of “Kulich and Paskha” since 1994. We have helped the church by sending vitamins,
toothbrushes, and school supplies for children. We have helped the church purchase a TV
and VCR for the Sunday school, and a copy machine and computer for the office. We have
also sent cash gifts to help them with some of their much-needed building repairs.
Pilgrimages
Since 1994 several groups of pilgrims and
individuals from Saint Mark’s have visited the Church of “Kulich and
Paskha” as well as other churches, ministries, and historical sites in Russia. They were warmly received as sisters and brothers
in Christ. They deepened relationships and
made new friends. Each pilgrim contributed to a gift fund, which was given to various
churches and ministries that they visited. Another pilgrimage to Russia is planned for the spring of 2006
during the Easter season.
Icons
In January 2004, the icon "Christ Pantocrator" was
commissioned by the Russian Parish Partnership and painted by the Russian iconographer,
Alexander Stalnov. It was delivered to Saint Mark's Cathedral Christmas Eve 2004 and
processed into the Cathedral at the 7:30 p.m. liturgy. Other icons commissioned by
the RPP for Saint Mark's Cathedral are "The Virgin of the Sign" and "St.
Mark the Evangelist." In April 2005
Saint Mark’s held a second icon writing workshop, led by Russian iconographer
Khristina Prokhorova.
Harvest Table
Since 1995 the Russian Parish Partnership
committee has sponsored the Harvest Table in the late summer and fall. People bring flowers, vegetables, fruit, and baked
goods to Saint Mark’s. Sunday morning
worshipers give donations to share this bounty from our gardens, and the money supports
the Russian Parish Partnership programs.
Russian Dinner
During the Easter season the Russian Parish
Partnership sponsors a Russian Dinner, where people can enjoy Russian food, music, and
hear about our work with our Russian Partners.
Babushka Program
Through the Teleios foundation, the Russian
Parish Partnership helps support the Babushka Program, which cares for elderly women who
are the “poorest of the poor.” They
have no family and have no income other than their meager pension. Our financial help pays for groceries, medicine,
and the weekly visit of a caregiver. People
who go on a pilgrimage to Russia have the opportunity to meet these remarkable women.
If you are interested in a pilfrimage to Russia
or would like to help with one of our programs, contact Jane or Dick Carter.
Tel:
206-325-7449
e-mail:
janescarter@comcast.net |
