Welcome to the Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Church - the lower temple of Saint Vladimir Memorial Church. This is our traditional place dedicated to providing traditional Russian Orthodox Services in English - an important missionary goal as stated in the charter of the St. Vladimir Society. This lower temple, originally dedicated to St. Olga, was rededicated to the Theotokos after an ancient, darkened icon of Her self-renewed in the 1960's. Two hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church repose here, Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko) on the right and Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky) on the left. As of June 21, 2011, by Ukase of Metropolitan Hilarion, Fr. Serge Ledkovsky is the administrator of the English Mission. All are welcome to join us for services - please check the schedule - or contact us for information.

The Holy Virgin Protection Church narthex houses our bookstore. We have a large selection of liturgical and religious books and a number of crosses, icons and other items. It's worth the visit just to view our historical exhibits. Collected and exhibited under the the direction of Deacon Alexander, the exhibits cover the history of the church, the village sorrounding, and the generations of Russian people that worshipped and lived here. The artifacts, photos, and documents are well displayed and in many cases rare. The bookstore is open before and after services and by request through Deacon Alexander.

Father Alexander Smida is an Alumnus of Saint Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary and has been active in orthodox parish education for over thirty years. He holds the degree of Masters of Divinity and has spent several years in postgraduate study in the fields of Orthodox Liturgical Theology and Byzantino-Slav Church History. 

images courtesy eadiocese.org

On June 15, 2011 Father Philip Petrovsky, Rector of the Holy Virgin Protection Church, reposed in The Lord. The faithful of the English Language Community of Saint Vladimir Church and the family of Fr. Philip thank everyone for their prayers and support.

On Wednesday morning, June 15, Archpriest Philip Petrovsky, a cleric of
the Eastern American Diocese, peacefully passed away. He was 64
years old. Fr. Philip was the rector of the Holy Virgin Protection
English Mission of St Vladimir Church in Jackson, NJ.

Archpriest Philip Petrovsky was born on November 12, 1946, in
Brooklyn, NY. In 1974 he married Tatiana Kozosko. Fr. Philip was
ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky) on January
25, 1976. On March 9, 1977, the feast of the First and Second
Findings of the Head of St. John the Baptist, Fr. Philip was
ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky).

Over the years, Fr. Philip faithfully served in many churches of the
Eastern American Diocese, most notably in St. Vladimir Memorial
Church, where he served as the second priest for many years. Fr.
Philip had a burning love for missionary work and dedicated his
entire life to spreading the Orthodox faith. He organized an
English-language mission to bring the beauty and splendor of Russian
Orthodox services to the English-speaking faithful.

In recent years, Fr. Philip served as the rector of St. Nicholas Church in Red Bank,
NJ and St. George’s Kuban Cossack Church in Howell, NJ.We ask all the clerics and faithful children of the Eastern American
Diocese to pray for the repose of the newly departed Archpriest
Philip.In lieu of flowers, Fr. Philip’s family asks that you make a
donation to the Holy Virgin Protection English Mission.
Article courtesy of eadiocese.org

You may view the photos and article of Fr. Philip's Funeral at the Website of the Eastern Diocese.
  http://www.eadiocese.org/News/2011/june/funeral.en.htm

 

Donations in the Memory of Father Philip may be sent to
care of
English Mission
Fr. Philip Petrovsky
P.O. Box 143
Jackson, NJ 08527

Our collection efforts for the foodbank are going well.  In today's economy the food bank provides a valuable service to those in need.  A special thanks to Michael Wojtenko, who organized a collection among his classmates and provided a boost to the Jackson Women of Today Foodbank Program.  On February 20th The Holy Virgin Protection Church, Metropolitan Hilarion and the Jackson Woman of Today honored young Michael's exemplary work by presenting him with Certificates of Appreciation acknowledging his outstanding work.

The Holy Virgin Protection Church Choir is under the direction of Alexandra Kulinyi.  The choir sings traditional Russian Orthodox Church music in English.  With over 25 years of experience and hard work Alexandra has translated, composed and compiled an extensive and unique collection of Russian Orthodox Church music in English.  She dedicates much of her time to the church and her talent is truly appreciated by all.  Alexandra (2nd from Left) is pictured with choir members; L to R Thomas & Theodora Noordzy, Matushka Tatiana Petrovsky.  

On Saturday, July 24, the day of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles and Grand
Princess of Russia Olga, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New
York, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the lower Holy
Virgin Protection Church of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in
Jackson, NJ. His Eminence was co-served by mission rector Archpriest
Philip Petrovsky, Archpriest Paul Volmensky (rector of Holy Ascension
Church in Sacramento, CA), Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of
St. Vladimir Memorial Church), Protodeacon Nicholas Mokhoff (cleric of
the Synodal Cathedral), and Deacon Anatoly Revitskyy. Also praying in
church were Eastern American Diocesan Vicar Bishop, His Grace George
of Mayfield, and Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell; resident of Holy Cross
Monastery). After the Eucharist, Metropolitan Hilarion ordained
longtime English Mission parishioner Subdeacon Alexander Smida to the
diaconate.

In his sermon upon completion of the Liturgy, Vladyka told of the life of
St. Olga, underscoring her vital role in the conversion of the Russian
people to Holy Orthodoxy. After the sermon, a moleben was served
before the icon of St. Olga, after which a litiy was served at the
tomb of Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko), located on the right side of
the church. Archbishop Vitaly, the founder of the Memorial Church,
reposed March 21, 1960, 50 years ago. In greeting the First Hierarch,
English Mission rector Fr. Philip thanked Vladyka for his archpastoral
visit and his zealous prayer, which filled this historic church. The
newly ordained Deacon Alexander then greeted Vladyka and noted that on
this very day in 1938, the first Divine Liturgy was served in the open
air at the walls of the church, then still under construction.

Church Location: Lower Temple Of St. Vladimir Memorial Church
134 Perrineville Road
Jackson, NJ 08527

Mailing Address: ATTN: English Mission
P.O. Box 143
Jackson, NJ 08527

Fr. Serge Ledkovsky: (732) 928 1248
Email: srgldkvsky@yahoo.com