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About Saint Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Church

By Archpriest Fr. George Nedelkoff

( adaptation from the original printing in 1988)

 

 

             The Saint Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Parish was organized during the early 1940s by immigrants from Macedonia and Bulgaria. Services were first held in November of 1948 at the original edifice at 3506 Warsaw Street. The first Board of Trustees consisted of: Vasil K. Litchin, President; Nichola Gouloff, Secretary; Mike Kozma, Treasurer; Argire V. Lebamoff; Dimitry P. Lebamoff; Argire K. Kiproff; Vasil K. Eshcoff; Thomas P. Lazoff and Lazar Laycoff. In 1983 the Church moved to its current location at 3535 Crescent Avenue.

             The Church is strictly and exclusively a religious incorporated entity under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of America: The Bulgarian Diocese. When the members decided to join this synod in 1977, our Church was ascertained of a secure domestic administration and dispersal of all fears of possible infiltration from elements foreign to God and His Holy Church.

             The aims of St. Nicholas Church are to preserve and propagate the Orthodox Christian Faith in its purity and fullness in accordance with the teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as it is transmitted to us by the Holy Apostles and Fathers of the Church. It strives to educate its members morally and religiously, and elevate them to be good Orthodox Christians and loyal citizens of the United States of America.

             Services are held regularly on Sundays and Feast Days. Originally in Church Slavonic, services are now held in the English language. A choir assists with the Divine Liturgy and religious education enlightens students. St. Nicholas Church has a tradition of extending a warm welcome and offering assistance to people of all national backgrounds. Many parishioners are Syrian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, German, Ethiopian and English as well as Macedono-Bulgarian. This tradition is aided by the fact St. Nicholas was, for many years, the only Eastern Orthodox parish in Fort Wayne. Many also joined by way of marriage. This church has, in addition helped many individuals sustain their Orthodox Christian faith for many years until other Orthodox parishes came to Fort Wayne.

             The Women's Guild assists in promoting and encouraging  Orthodox faith. The Guild preserves traditional customs, foods, dancing and language in addition to sponsoring social functions. The Guild also   

  sponsored lectures on civic duties, culture and the United States  

       Government in the past.