“Could this be the one?” a newly arrived Russian immigrant might ask. This is St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church. It is a vibrant spiritual center in the heart of Brooklyn. More importantly, it is the center of the Russian-speaking world in New York. Founded in 2009, St. John the Forerunner quickly became a vital part of the community.
Under the leadership of Archpriest Alexander Belya, the parish grew and flourished. In 2014, St. John the Forerunner moved to a more spacious location. It was a former Methodist church in southern Brooklyn.
The building underwent extensive renovations. A unique entrance arch with a dome was added. This became an architectural highlight in Brooklyn. The church received cathedral status in 2015. This was on the feast day of its patron saint, St. John the Baptist. It marked a significant moment in the parish’s history. The St. John Cathedral became the largest Russian church in New York.
Important events in the Eastern American Diocese of the ROCOR were held here. These included the 100th Memorial of the repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn. Also, the 70th anniversary of the birth of the First Hierarch of the ROCOR was celebrated.
St. John the Forerunner actively engages in missionary and social work. It supports newly arrived Russian-speaking immigrants. The Parish School for Children is named after St. Sergius of Radonezh. It provides education to 70 children aged six and older. Experienced teachers instruct in subjects like the Law of God. Russian and Ukrainian languages, music and drawing are also taught. The students regularly excel. They participate in the Russian Olympiad for All-American students. They have won awards and first places.
Weekly lessons for adults are also available. These focus on the Law of God and English language studies. The classes assist immigrants in adapting to American culture. It helps them integrate, find work, and thrive. The English language school at St. John the Forerunner was the first of its kind. It operated within an Orthodox church.
The church publishes a free newspaper called “Orthodox Abroad”. It features articles in multiple languages across 16 pages. Approximately 10000 copies are distributed each edition. Additionally, the Orthodox Calendar of St. John the Baptist Cathedral is published annually. It is distributed for free.
Today, St. John the Baptist Cathedral is a spiritual anchor in Brooklyn. It unites many residents under one roof. People from various backgrounds worship together. These include Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians, Moldovans, Americans, and others. All accept God’s grace from the same Chalice. You may contact St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church by phone. The number is 929 444-5544.