St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish (Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle Ukrainian Orthodox Church) in Boston, Massachusetts, is the spiritual home, cultural sanctuary, and premier communal center for Ukrainian Orthodox Christians across Greater Boston and Eastern New England. Founded in 1954 and situated at 24 Orchardhill Road in Boston’s historic Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the parish belongs to the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA under the canonical omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Historical Foundations in New England (1954–Present)
The establishment of St. Andrew Parish in 1954 was spurred by the influx of post-World War II Ukrainian displaced persons (DPs) who arrived in Massachusetts to escape Soviet communist persecution. These courageous immigrants, comprising scholars, engineers, artisans, and laborers, sought to establish a dedicated sanctuary where they could worship God in their ancient Eastern Slavic tradition and maintain their national identity in New England.
In Jamaica Plain, the congregation acquired a picturesque hilltop property on Orchardhill Road, surrounded by lush New England foliage. Over seven decades of steadfast witness, St. Andrew Parish has nurtured generations of Ukrainian Americans, integrating newly arrived academic professionals from Harvard, MIT, and Boston’s medical institutions, while remaining an open spiritual haven for Orthodox Christians of diverse backgrounds.
Sacred Architecture and Interior Iconography
The temple at 24 Orchardhill Road embodies a harmonious synthesis of Eastern Christian canonical beauty and New England architecture:
- The Gilded Grapevine Iconostas: The sacred focal point of the nave is an exquisitely hand-carved iconostas finished in brilliant gold leaf. The openwork carving features ancient Christian grapevine motifs symbolizing the True Vine of Christ.
- The Holy Royal Doors: The Royal Doors are crowned with the Kyivan Slavic liturgical inscription: «ПРИЙДІТЬ ПОКЛОНІМ[СЯ]» (“Come, Let Us Worship”), flanked by full-length icons of the Holy Theotokos holding the Christ Child and Christ the Teacher.
- Sacred Wall Murals & Stained Glass: The vaulted chancel and side walls are adorned with monumental Byzantine frescoes portraying the Resurrection, the Baptism of Kyivan Rus, and Patron Saint Andrew the First-Called, while perimeter arched stained glass windows cast jewel-toned reflections across the oak pews.
- Austrian Crystal Chandelier: Illuminating the center aisle is a majestic crystal chandelier (panikadylo) whose radiance reflects off the gold icons and hand-woven Ukrainian embroidered rushnyky adorning every sacred table.
Pastoral Leadership and Vibrant Parish Life
For decades, the parish has been lovingly pastored by Very Reverend Father Roman Tarnavsky, whose pastoral warmth and intellectual depth have fostered an engaged, multi-generational community. Liturgical services are conducted in both Ukrainian and English, reflecting the bilingual and inclusive character of the flock.
Parish life flourishes through the acclaimed St. Andrew Parish Choir, a vibrant Sunday School educating youth in the Orthodox faith, and active chapters of the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL). Annual Ukrainian festivals, Pysanka decorating workshops, and cultural exhibitions routinely welcome thousands of Bostonians to learn about Ukrainian arts and traditions.
Humanitarian Mission: Direct Aid to Ukraine’s Defenders and Orphans
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, St. Andrew Parish has become one of Greater Boston’s most proactive hubs for humanitarian and military chaplaincy support:
- Support for the 118th Brigade: The parish actively sponsors the Military Chaplaincy Service of the 118th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (118-та окрема бригада ТрО ЗСУ), purchasing tactical gear, field medical kits, and rehabilitation supplies for wounded defenders in hospitals.
- St. Olha’s Sisterhood Orphan Care: Through specialized fundraisers such as “Le Chic Boutique & Delicious Eats”, the parish Sisterhood provides direct financial funding to care for over 30 children orphaned by the war in Ukraine, sponsoring summer recreation camps in the Carpathian Mountains.
- Civic Partnerships: The community actively coordinates with Boston-based relief organizations, including Sunflower of Peace, Razom for Ukraine, and the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA).
Chronological Milestones of St. Andrew Parish in Boston
| Year | Historical Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Formal organization of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish by post-war immigrants in Boston. |
| 1960s | Acquisition and consecration of the church building and grounds on Orchardhill Road in Jamaica Plain. |
| 1988 | New England celebrations marking the Millennium of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus (988–1988). |
| 2014 | Parish 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrated with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy by Metropolitan Antony. |
| 2022–Present | Comprehensive humanitarian mobilization: support for the 118th Brigade and orphaned children in Cherkasy. |
| 2024–2026 | Observance of the 70th Parish Anniversary of liturgical service in Massachusetts. |
Parish Information & Contacts
| Full Official Name | St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish (Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle) |
| Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction | Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) |
| Eparchy & Hierarchy | Eastern Eparchy; Under the Archpastoral care of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel |
| Physical Address | 24 Orchardhill Road, Boston (Jamaica Plain), MA 02130, United States |
| Neighborhood | Jamaica Plain / Suffolk County / Greater Boston Metropolitan Area |
| Pastor / Rector | Very Rev. Father Roman Tarnavsky |
| Parish Leadership | St. Olha’s Sisterhood, Parish Board of Trustees, Choir Leadership |
| Church Phone | +1 (617) 522-3323 |
| Official Website | ukrainianorthodox.org |
| Divine Liturgy Schedule | Sundays at 10:00 AM; Major Feast Days at 10:00 AM |
| Liturgical Languages | Ukrainian and English |
| Ministries & Facilities | Sanctuary, Parish Fellowship Hall, St. Olha’s Sisterhood, Sunday School, Ukraine War Relief Hub |
| Geographic Coordinates | 42.3021° N, 71.1158° W |
| Interactive Navigation | Open in Google Maps |
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