St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Troy, New York

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church was founded in 1897. Our father among the saints Nicholas of Myra, Wonder-worker, was the archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor in the fourth century and is also the basis for the Santa Claus legends and imagery which accompany Christmas celebrations in much of the world. While widely honored and venerated, not only in the Orthodox Church, but throughout most Christian groups, little is known historically of the life of Nicholas. He is known to have been archbishop of Myra and he may have participated in the Council of Nicea in 325. In addition to being honored as the patron saint of many countries, notably Greece and Russia, and of cities, he is the patron of many occupational groups, most notably of sea-farers. (Source: Orthodox Wiki)

Our church history is quite colorful. Starting with the mass immigration of Ukrainians to America to today’s Ukrainian Americans and now a new wave of current immigrants from Ukraine. The Ukrainian people came long distances, across the ocean, to seek their destiny in the United States. It was not an easy venture, but when they set out on their travels the anticipated good fortune overcame their fears. Arriving in America, they began a grim and rough life, but they were finally a free people. The better life, though there were hardships to overcome, seemed attainable in America, the land of freedom and opportunity. The city of Troy, NY in the 1800’s was famous for its mills and foundries. In those days, Troy was in need of laborers for the available heavy industry. In the year of 1886, the first Ukrainian settlers came, mostly from the western part of Ukraine: Ternopil, Horlyzi, Synk, and Lisko. During the first years the immigrants endured hardships. A “ghetto” way of life prevailed in America as people of one nationality of another grouped together into particular sections of town. But the Ukrainian people were, and remain religious, Christian people. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church was established in 1897, and now, over 100 years later, we celebrate our wonderful parish and our American citizenship.