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2016-2017

Taniana Alekseevna Rodzianko's Graduation Speech

Published by: Grigorii Arkadievich Moss

Dear and Respected Eminence, Bishop Andronik, dear teachers, staff and students of our parish school!

I congratulate you on the successful completion of yet one more academic year, for us a special academic year: the end of the tenth academic year of our Russian school “St. Sergius of Radonezh. In memory of Father Seraphim and Matushka Elena Slobodsky”. Ten years isn’t a short period of our joint work for the benefit of our growing upcoming generation.

I rejoice with you, anticipating the happy times of summer vacations, and I wish you a fruitful summer with the goal of spending this precious time well!

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Prototype AP Russian Exam 2017 is done!

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Prototype AP Russian Exam was completed today. Six students of our school successfully passed the Prototype AP Russian Exam today at the Staten Island Technical High School.

We thank Russian teachers at the Staten Island Technical High School and especially Natalia Ushakova for the organization of the exam.

It was a great day today for all of us!

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Monasteries

Published by: Grigorii Arkadievich Moss

By Tatiana Alekseevna Rodzianko Translation by Grisha Moss

Monasteries are places where pious, deeply believing Christians left to devote themselves and their lives, to the service of God and people. Such a complete giving of one’s life to God is the fulfillment of the commandment of God according to the direction of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew there is a place where the disciples asked Him which commandment is most in the Law, He answered: "... You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second one, just like the first: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The entire law and prophets were established based on these two commandments.” This commandment was performed by monks and nuns, leaving the secular world for monasteries.

All our numerous Orthodox monasteries were created by people in the fulfillment of this commandment. But each of them had their own special reasons, prompting them to create monasteries, and sometimes special cathedrals. Today we will only talk about monasteries, which are very numerous all over the world.

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NEWL: Prototype AP Russian Exam 2017

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Original text: NEWL Prototype AP Russian Exam

The NEWL (Prototype AP): Russian test is intended for secondary school students of Russian language who wish to engage in rigorous university-level study before high school graduation.

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The students made larks from dough. Memorial Day of the Forty Sebaste Martyrs.

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Magpies, Larks - the day of the national calendar of the Slavs, falling on March 9 (March 22). Memorial Day of the Forty Sebaste Martyrs. The name of the day comes from the Forty Sebaste martyrs. According to the folk calendar, on this day the winter ends - spring begins, the day with the night is measured -equals.

Larks (waders, turtles) were also called cookies in the form of birds or sun baked for the holiday.

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Congress of Orthodox 2017

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Now that the first emotions have subsided, it is appropriate to recall how three wonderful February days passed, surprisingly warm in all respects. This year 35 people took part in the Congress (a record number of participants today), including guys from Russia and Argentina. Every day of the Congress began and ended with a prayer. Our congress was honored by guests from Russia: the Archbishop of St. Petersburg and North-Russian Sofroniy (Musiyenko) and the clergyman of the St. Petersburg diocese, Hieromonk Ignaty (Krutkov), who prepared wonderful and interesting conversations with the youth. In addition to the guests, Archpriest Nikita (Grigoryev), Priest Victor (Zavodov), Hierodeacon Pavel (Lipin) and Nikolai Budzilovich spoke with reports. Also, in separate groups of boys and girls, "frank conversations" with Priest Dimitri and Mother Alexandra Dobronravov were held.

Photos, credit to Arthur Mifedov-Frolov

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Prototype AP Russian Exam: OPIs are scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2017 and Saturday, March 25, 2017

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

American Councils Students in grades 9-12 will be taking the NEWL Prototype AP Russian Exam 2017. The first part of the exam is the Oral Proficiency Interview. American Councils certified examiners will test students' speaking, listening and comprehension skills.

Oral Proficiency Interviews are scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2017 and Saturday, March 25, 2017, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Every student has an assigned time slot for their interview. Information about the assignments was distributed to parents and students on February 15, 2017.

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Tatiana Alekseevna Rodzianko gives a speech before the "Snow Maiden" performance

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

I thank all those who came to share our celebration with us. I especially thank you for your attention and interest in our studies and work for the good and benefit of our younger generation. This is our succession, our future, our hope.

In the coming year - 2017 - our Russian school will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The time has flown by. It seems not so long ago that we opened the school, and here we already exist for 10 years. But very precious years! And the precious work, carried out during this comparatively short period of time. A Russian proverb says: "A little goes a long way". Our joint work in school is this very proverb.

Our school was founded in 2007. This year wasn’t easy for all of us, a watershed year in many respects. And it was a turning point for all of us, each in his own way. Some dark paths radically changed the path of our Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. Our bishops joined the Moscow Patriarchate, which was always considered non-canonical. And this act changed its previous path of complete freedom from worldly authorities, more so from the Godless regime in Russia. For us, the Orthodox Russian people, scattered across the globe after the Revolution of 1917, it was a betrayal of freedom and purity of our precious Truth of Christ. I won’t go into the details of this change. I will only say that at the time of our school’s appearance, it turned out to be necessary and popular for many.

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Snow Maiden 2017

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Deep in the forests of Northern Russia, in an isba (log hut), lived an old wood cutter and his wife. Times were hard, for winter had set in and deep snow covered the ground.

The wood cutter and his wife were both kind and hardworking but they were also sad and lonely, for they were childless and there was no-one to care for them or to help them through the cold winter.

The days passed slowly, with hard work their only comfort. There was wood to chop and food to find.

Then one day, whilst clearing an area so they could chop some more wood, they began to pile together heaps of snow. Remembering the games they used to play in their childhood, the old couple began to shape the snow into human form. By the time they had finished they were nearly frozen but the image of the young girl they had created was so beautiful, it was beyond description.

“See wife,” said the old man, “our daughter Snegurochka.” (Snow maiden.) The old woman smiled but as her husband turned away, there were tears in her eyes.

In the forest the twigs crackled and snapped, for watching the old couple was none other than Father Frost, an old winter god that lived deep in the forest glades.

Father Frost felt pity for the old couple and, at that moment, he decided to create for them a daughter in his own spirit. He scratched his long white beard and pondered for a while before raising the great staff he carried into the air. A frizzle of magic ripped through the forest.

The old couple turned to admire once more their handiwork and were astonished to see, standing in their garden, the most beautiful pale maiden with long flaxen hair.

She was dressed in a long, light blue robe, its collar and cuffs trimmed with soft fur; her robe was covered in shimmering snowflakes. On her head was a hat of fur and snowflakes that looked a little like a crown and which sparkled like an icy flame. Her shoulders were covered with a cape of dark blue and on her feet she wore embroidered boots.

The old couple blinked in wonder and dis

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You are invited to watch a performance of "The Snow Maiden"

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Our school will celebrate the New Year at 2pm on January 22, 2017. The celebratory program includes a presentation of "The Snow Maiden" under the guidance of the Director Irina Tarrant, a dance around the Christmas tree, a visit from Santa Claus, gifts, and a buffet.

It will be held at 105 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

Tickets for children six and under are free; for those 6-18 - $15 and for those who are 18 and older - $20.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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The students in the upper classes of our school

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

We are proud of the students in the upper classes of our school.

The children not only learn well and do their homework, but also willingly help the younger children and teachers of the school.

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A traditional Russian pelmeni (dumpling) luncheon was organized for the students, parents and teachers of our school school on October 22, 2016.

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

A traditional Russian pelmeni (dumpling) luncheon was organized for the students, parents and teachers of our school school on October 22, 2016.

This traditional pelmeni luncheon is held every year in October. It is the first joint meeting of parents and school teachers. These pelmeni were prepared with sour cream and condiments. Pelmeni usually accompany a traditional Russian feast with warm toasts and friendly joyful accolades.

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The Learning Center is open

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

The Learning Center is open. Photos.

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School is starting on September 10th, 2016

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Dear parents and teachers!

We wish you the best for the start of the new 2016/2017 school year!

During this summer, our children have grown, gotten suntanned, rested and are ready to start the new school year. Now is a great time to go back to school!

It's still not too cold outside and possible to play with friends after school.

We are particularly pleased to see new students and their parents. We hope that the children's education at our school will grow into strong friendships. After all, many of our student's parents also teach various subjects.

So that the start of the new school year goes smoothly, we ask you to fill out the registration forms and bring them to school.

Download these forms:

Registration form for new students

Registration form for returning students

See you in class on September 10th at 9:15 AM at the church!

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Calendar 2016-2017

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

The upcoming school year will be filled with traditional events:

  • Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)
  • Larks
  • Blini (Pancakes)
  • Theme of the Day
  • Christmas Performance
  • Graduation Ceremony

The academic program for the 2016-17 year includes 26 lessons and final annual exams. The school year will begin on September 10, 2016 with registration and the first lessons taking place. The year will end with the graduation ceremony on May 21, 2017, commemorating ten years of its founding.

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Teacher meeting will be held at school building on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 19:00

Published by: Pavel Borisovich Molchanov

Teacher meeting will be held at school building on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 19:00

George Lukin

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