On Christmas Day, January 1949, Russian Eastern Orthodox Church services were held in Phoenix, AZ for the first time--served by Fr. Nicholas Hubiak from New Jersey. On November 25, 1951, the Saint Peter and Paul Russian Eastern Orthodox Greek Catholic Church was formed with the appointment of Archimandrite Peter Zaychenko, formerly of Chicago, IL, by Archbishop John of San Francisco and the Western United States.
Archimandrite Peter purchased residential property at 1614 E Monte Vista Rd, where services were held and it later became the Church. The parish totaled about twelve families at the time. On November 12, 1955 Archimandrite Peter Zaychenko fell asleep in the Lord and willed the residential property to the parish. In 1956 the parish built an addition onto the original house to accommodate up to 80 worshippers. Adjoining property was purchased in 1961 for a future church building and in March 1967, with the blessing of Archbishop John, the parish received its building permit.
dedicated by the Most Rev Archbishop John of San Francisco and the Western United States. He was assisted by Fr. Dimitri Gisetti, Dean; V Rev John Karateew, pastor; as well as other Orthodox clergy. The new church can now accommodate more than a threefold expansion in worshippers and is an outstanding example of what a dedicated and united parish group can accomplish when interested in serving God and promoting the Orthodox Faith.
The focus has always been on people. Specifically on people's salvation, based on hearing the Word of God preached and defined in the context of a true and loving Christian community.
In order to provide a clear witness to Christ and His Gospel to all, it was decided to evolve from solely Church Slavonic / Russian and to use English exclusively in the worship services. For the most part, the transition has been made and today we find ourselves again ministering to many of the new Russian speaking people seeking out an Orthodox Church for worship.
On November 9-10, 2001, the parish observed its 50th anniversary.
TODAY
Typically one will find approximately 150 to 200 adults and children gathered together to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on a given Sunday. Our worshippers represent a cross section of people of various ages, occupations, and ethnic backgrounds, living throughout the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. The character of our community reflects our effort in placing special emphasis on personal participation in the life of the Church, spiritual growth, and commitment to Christ and His teachings.
EDUCATION
Continuing education and discussions among our members are priorities within our parish. Immediately following communion on Sunday's Divine Liturgy, children ranging in age from pre-school through young adult attend Church School classes (September - May). Adult Education (Orthodox Faith Studies) classes are also offered. In addition, other educational programs on various subjects are scheduled and announced periodically.
FELLOWSHIP
Parishioners and visitors are invited to share fellowship over coffee and bagels in our social hall following Divine Liturgy every Sunday. Periodically, lunches, dinners, and fellowship gatherings are scheduled in various locations, sometimes in connection with open discussions on various topics with pastoral guidance, i.e. Orthodox Faith Study.
Indeed, the true church is built with "living stones". Believers who by their Baptism and Chrismation have entered into the life of the Church and who are united in a common confession of faith and the Body and Blood of Christ themselves become the "Body of Christ". The fields are, as the Scriptures tell us, ripe for harvest; but the laborers are few. May God bless our efforts toward the building of His Church in love and truth.
We invite you with open arms to worship and share fellowship with us anytime.
Regular Services
Saturday: Vespers, 5:00 pm
Sunday: Divine Liturgy, 9:00 am
Address
1614 E. Monte Vista Rd.
Phoenix, Az 85006
Phone / Email
Fr. Mikel: 907-444-8545
Church: 602-253-9515
Directions To Saints Peter & Paul
This Week...
November 8, 2025
There is Bible class Weds Nov. 12th At 6pm in the hall.
Tomorrow Sunday the 9th there will be the Memorial for Eugenia Mudrenko. During coffee hour there will be porcelain angels for sale that she used to collect, the funds from the sale will go into a memorial fund in her honor.
The Nativity fast begins Saturday the 15th.
The Christmas Outreach has begun. There are 28 families (50 kids) for parishioners to adopt. Please see Christine Sanchez if you wish to participate.
The Tailgate party received $366 in donations for the Alaskan seminarians. If you would like to donate towards this amount , see Judy Bushko.
St Tikhon’s is reprinting the Service Book for the Faithful; it contains the complete texts of Vespers, Sunday Matins, the liturgies of St. John and St. Basil, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. If you wish to order one please let Katrina know, they will arrive at the beginning of December and cost roughly $25.
Sunday Nov 16th the monks from St John’s Monastery will be here to sell their icons.
Sunday Dec 14th the nuns from St Mary of Egypt Monastery will be here to sell their items.
Tuesday Nov 18th at 6pm is the last Zoom class on the Church Services for the year.
Tomorrow Nov 9th is OCA Stewardship Sunday. A collection will be made on that Sunday. But your donations can be made most easily through the OCA website or Checks should be made payable to; The Orthodox Church in America and mailed to:
PO Box 31409 Alexandria, VA 22310-9998
FOCA is taking orders for coasters. A set of 4 will cost $15, order forms are on the tables in the hall.
For The Bible and the Fathers for Orthodox, Monday the 3rd the Epistle is on page 458 and the Gospel is page 491.
Collections for Project Mexico are on the 1st Sunday of the month, the next collection will be tomorrow Sunday Nov 2nd.
We should always remember to tithe, as it is an offering to God. The tithe is very important to keep the church running, and keeping it cool during the hot summer months. For the month of September Income was more than our expenses by $59.
On Nov 19th there is a concert at American Lutheran Church of Sun City. Our parishioners James and Randall Legrende will be performing.
The Holy Scriptures lead us to God and open the path to the knowledge of God.
St. John Chrysostom
