70th Anniversary Talk – The Five Priests of Menlo Park

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The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church in Menlo Park, CA was established in 1952 – and so we mark our 70th anniversary this year! On Sunday September 11th, parishioners stayed in the hall after Liturgy and fellowship to listen to a special talk on the five previous parish rectors: Archpriest Alexander Kozlov, Archpriest Alexei Rubanovsky, Archimandrite Amvrosy (Pogodin), Archpriest Valery Bulannikov, and Hermogen Holste.

Making the event all the more special was the fact that every presenter knew each priest personally, and therefore could give a first hand account not only of what changes occurred in the parish during each tenure, but of the personal character of each man.

Fr. Alexander Kozlov’s surviving grandchildren, Retired US Army Brigadier General Alexander Kozlov and his sister Maria Kozlov, submitted letters of congratulations and reflection to the parish in absentia. 101 year old parishioner Eroeda Luck then commented on the very beginning of parish history as well as her recollections of Fr. Alexei Rubanovsky. Frs. Amvrosy, Valery, and Hermogen were represented by Taisia Lenkova, Reader Alexander Richter, and past secretary of the parish council Laura Cosovanu, respectively.

Glory to God, all present were greatly edified. With the event live streamed on the parish FaceBook page, even those who could not make it were able to ‘attend’ and gave thanks for the opportunity to have such an event. Ms. Margarita Meniailenko, of the Museum of Russian Culture in San Francisco, was also in attendance and recorded the talk for posterity.

The parish looks forward to celebrating its patronal feast on September 20th and 21st (Nativity of the Theotokos, Old Style).

Facebook Livestream: https://fb.watch/fAhxIue8dw/