The Orthodox Christian Church was established by Jesus Christ on Pentecost with the outpouring of the All-Holy Spirit upon the gathered Apostles in order that the revelation and teachings of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, be preserved, faithfully transmitted, and preached to all the world.

This faith has been passed down from Christ, through the Apostles, and down to the present day through their successors, the bishops of the Church. The faith is expressed and preserved through the Holy Tradition from Christ by means of the Liturgy, Sacred Scriptures, Church Councils, the Writings of the Holy Fathers and Confessors, and ultimately through the lived experience of this faith by the True Believing and Worshipping People of God.

Though it is manifest in this country under the guise of various ethnic entities such as Greek, Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Albanian, Syrian, etc.; these are all the One Church established and nurtured by Jesus Christ who have remained faithful to the Word of His Truth until His Awesome Second Coming to judge both the living and the dead.

Very Reverend Father Dennis Kristof

Saint Nicholas Ukrainian, Pro-Cathedral
2101 Quail Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 226-5506

Built in 1916 to serve Eastern Orthodox Ukrainians, this church is home of Birdtown’s first onion-shaped dome, which represents a candle flame burning heavenward. Many Ukrainians in this area were members of the Greek-Catholic Uniate Church and, in 1905, started a parish they named St. Gregory's Greek Catholic Church at 2035 Quail Street. Ten years later, they had differences within the congregation and a small group began celebrating mass in their homes. In 1916, at a meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Basil (a branch of the Ukrainian Workingmen's Association), they formed a parish and purchased the property for $1,600. St. Nicholas Greek-Catholic Church was dedicated in October 1916. However, differences arose again with changes the pope instituted until, in 1932, the parishioners chose to return to the Orthodox Church and it became St. Nicholas Greek-Catholic Independent Ukrainian Church. In 1962, a fire destroyed much of the temple’s interior. This was completely renewed and re-dedicated in 1963. In 1980, more extensive remodeling began, including a new dome. The church is now St. Nicholas Ukrainian, Pro-Cathedral.

Saints Peter and Paul Church
12711 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
521-0923

Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church was organized July 1, 1917, by Father Joseph Takach and a small group of people. On August 11, 1918, the congregation left the Quail Avenue Church and established its new parish on Madison Avenue. In February 1923, a bell was purchased for the church and construction began on a new rectory. An Ikonstasis (this adorns the front of the sanctuary and has a series of Icons with the Royal Doors) was erected. In March 1948, contracts were drawn up to build a new church -- the present structure. The dedication of the church took place on July 2, 1950, and dedicated members of the church continued their generous donations for stained glass windows, pews, chandelier, kitchen equipment, and other necessary items.

The church membership now includes people from many different ethnic backgrounds and converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith. Services are predominantly in English with the use of some Church Slavonic as well. The parish has an active Church School program which meets on Sundays after the Divine Liturgy during the secular school year. Baba's Kitchen is open on most Fridays throughout the year -- giving the neighborhood the opportunity to sample and purchase many ethnic foods. The parish is under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America.

See also The Carpathian Connection: "Birdtown"