Christ the Savior Orthodox Church

Tucked away on East 71st Street, Christ the Savior Orthodox Church has a story to tell. It’s a tale of resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Orthodox faith in the heart of New York City. Christ the Savior Orthodox Church wasn’t always at this address. Its journey began in 1924, a pivotal year marking the bicentennial of Orthodoxy in America and the declaration of the Russian Metropolia’s independence. This independence was a direct response to the rise of the “Living Church,” a movement backed by the Soviet regime. The “Living Church” seized many properties, including St. Nicholas Church, the Metropolia’s cathedral in New York City. In the face of this loss, a hundred Russian immigrants, with the blessing of Metropolitan Platon, founded Christ the Savior Church. The congregation flourished, finding a home on Madison Avenue and 121st Street in the 1920s. During the 1930s and 40s, Christ the Savior became the largest Russian Orthodox church in the city. It even housed classes for St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary. Its importance was further solidified in 1948 when it was elevated to cathedral status. However, a period of decline followed, leading to the sale of the Harlem building and a move to the current, more modest location on the East Side. A new chapter began in 1976 with the arrival of Father John Meyendorff, who oversaw the integration of a new English-speaking community led by Father Stephen Plumlee. For a time, two distinct communities, one Russian-speaking and one English-speaking, thrived together under Father Meyendorff’s guidance. This period also saw a succession of talented choir directors shaping the church’s musical landscape. Eventually, the English-speaking community formed St. Mary Magdalene Mission, leaving Christ the Savior as a bilingual community, still under the leadership of Father Michael Meerson, who became rector in 1985. Today, Christ the Savior Orthodox Church continues to grow, a vibrant mix of new immigrants and American converts. It remains a place of unity and welcome, where the echoes of its rich past intertwine with the promise of its future.