St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Boston (Massachusetts)

St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Boston, Massachusetts, is the venerable spiritual bastion of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in New England. Perched gracefully atop a scenic wooded hill at 24 Orchardhill Road in historic Jamaica Plain, the parish belongs to the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). Founded in 1955, St. Andrew Church has nurtured generations of Ukrainian Americans across Greater Boston for seven decades, combining rigorous liturgical devotion, academic fellowship, and passionate humanitarian leadership.

Seven Decades of New England Immigrant Faith (1955–Present)

The parish of St. Andrew was organized in 1955 by Ukrainian families who had survived the horrors of World War II, displaced persons camps in Germany and Austria, and Soviet political oppression. Arriving in Massachusetts, they were welcomed by Boston’s thriving industrial and academic centers. Seeking a dedicated spiritual sanctuary where their children could pray in Ukrainian and uphold ancient Orthodox theological traditions, the pioneers purchased scenic land on Orchardhill Road in Jamaica Plain, laying the foundation for a permanent temple.

Throughout its history, St. Andrew Parish has maintained close cultural and intellectual ties with Boston’s world-renowned university community, including scholars and students from the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI). The parish became a lively venue for lectures, symposia, diaspora commemorations, and traditional religious observances.

Sacred Architecture and Masterpiece Frescoes

The church at 24 Orchardhill Road is celebrated as one of the most artistically complete Ukrainian Orthodox temples in the American Northeast:

• The Hilltop Copper Domes: Rising above surrounding residential greenery, the blonde brick temple is crowned by two forward bell towers and a central rotunda topped with copper-clad onion domes that have acquired a distinguished teal-green patina.
• The Painted Celestial Dome: Worshipers looking upward are greeted by a breathtaking interior dome painted in azure celestial tones, depicting the Seraphim, the Holy Spirit, and dynamic iconography of the Four Holy Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) on the supporting pendentives.
• Masterpiece Gilded Iconostas: The sanctuary is distinguished by a magnificent hand-carved wood iconostas finished in lustrous gold leaf. The openwork Royal Doors are flanked by icons of Christ the Savior, the Holy Theotokos, Archangel Michael, and Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle holding his martyrdom cross.
• Hand-Embroidered Rushnyky: The holy altar and analoih are adorned with elaborate red-and-black embroidered rushnyky, created in traditional regional stitch patterns by the parish women’s society.

Pastoral Leadership of Father Roman Tarnavsky

For over two decades, St. Andrew Parish has flourished under the pastoral guidance of Very Reverend Father Roman Tarnavsky. Father Roman’s energetic ministry has focused on pastoral visitation, spiritual counseling, bilingual liturgy, and youth education. Under his leadership, the parish has maintained a warm, hospitable family environment where both lifelong diaspora members and newly arriving immigrants feel instantly welcomed.

Community Life and New England’s Humanitarian Hub for Ukraine

The parish hosts the annual Boston Ukrainian Food Festival every autumn, drawing hundreds of food enthusiasts from across Massachusetts to savor homemade pyrohy, holubtsi, borscht, and specialty pastries prepared by parish volunteers. In addition, the parish collaborates closely with Branch 49 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA).

Since February 2022, St. Andrew Church has served as one of the primary logistical hubs in New England for medical and humanitarian relief to Ukraine. Partnering with major grassroots non-profits including Sunflower of Peace and Razom for Ukraine, the parish collects high-priority tactical first-aid supplies, hospital-grade monitors, and winter clothing, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of dollars in vital life-saving assistance for victims of the war.

Chronological Milestones of St. Andrew Parish

Parish Information & Contacts