Our Parish
The Church of the Nativity of Christ is a Russian Orthodox Old Rite parish located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The church has overlooked Erie’s bayfront since the church was completed in 1919. After a horrific fire in 1986 destroyed the original church, it was completely rebuilt and now stands as one of the most visible landmarks in Erie. For more information about our parish's history, click the image below.
When the parish was founded in the early part of the 20th century, the founders chose to build a church near the water, since the shipbuilding plants and ore docks provided plentiful work to Russian immigrants. What was once merely a practical location has become a beautiful setting as the parish has grown and prospered.
In July 2019, the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary with a week-long schedule of events that included a historical symposium and a Hierarchal Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad. A video presentation from the anniversary event, “Russian Roots, American Branches,” is available to view here.
Services are held every weekend, with Vespers beginning on Saturday at 4:00 PM and followed immediately by Matins. Hours and Liturgy begin at 8:15 AM on Sunday morning. Services are conducted almost entirely in English. Check our parish calendar to see the schedule for weekday feasts.
If you are interested in becoming a member of our parish, the 2023 Membership Pledge Form can be downloaded here.
We hope to have you visit our parish soon.
Our Clergy
The Church of the Nativity is blessed to have a number clergy who provide spiritual leadership for our parish. Our Bishop is Bishop John of Caracas and South America, and our parish is led by the rector, Archpriest Pimen Simon, and two assistant priests: Archpriest Theodore Jurewicz and Priest Hierotheus Popoff.
Our Community
Located on the shore of the Great Lake that shares its name, Erie has evolved from a manufacturing and shipbuilding town into a vibrant city that offers the benefits of a small town along with the attractions of a larger city. With the cost of housing well below the national standard and an average commute time that is nearly 30% shorter than that of the average worker, Erie offers a wealth of advantages to its residents.
Erie also boasts a thriving tourism industry. Over 4 million people visit Presque Isle State Park each year to enjoy the beaches and natural beauty. Erie also is home to one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the country, as well as an indoor water park, minor league baseball team and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra.
For more information about Erie, visit the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership website or the VisitErie site.