Christ the Savior Orthodox Church recently celebrated Saint Nektarios Night in honor of our church's patron Saint Nektarios of Aegina. We had the honor of a visit from Bishop Benedict and other visiting clergy. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF EVENT.

Baby Isaiah Locke was baptised into the Orthodox Faith in November 2025 with his proud mother and father — Christy and Fr. Moses Locke — by his side, along with his brothers and sister.  It was a beautiful ceremony and the whole congregation rejoiced in the new addiiton to our Church family.  VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF BAPTISM

All are invited to join in fellowship for a special evening honoring a great man of God, St Nektarios of Aegina, on Sunday, November 9, at 4 p.m. at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, located at 1070 Roxbury Road in Southbury.

Visitors may attend the Vespers service with Litya that will include veneration of the relics of St. Nektarios, prayers of healing, a candlelight procession, and anointing lead by His Grace Bishop Benedict. A meal will follow.

For more than 29 years, autumn at Christ the Savior has brought memories and anticipation of the Feast of St. Nektarios of Aegina. The community is welcome to join this powerful evening of faith. Miracles can truly happen on St. Nektarios night, church leaders say.

St. Nektarios was a saintly man who served as the Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt and Greece. Even though St. Nektarios died in 1920, his unwavering faith in God and his perseverance through many difficulties serves as inspiration for all. The 2021 movie “Man of God” focused on the life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina.

St. Nektarios is a 20th century saint who is the patron saint of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church and of those suffering with cancer, heart trouble, arthritis, epilepsy, depression and injustice. There will be a candlelight procession with his relics, prayers for the sick, and anointing with the oil from St. Nektarios’ tomb.

The event is free and open to the public. Visit Christ the Savior’s website at www.christsaviorchurch.org for further information and directions, or contact Father Moses Locke at 203-267-1330. The Church is located at 1070 Roxbury Road in Southbury, at the intersection of Routes 67 and 172.

College student Bryce Taglialatella was also welcomed into the Orthodox Christian faith in June 2025, receiving the sacrament of Chrismation in a ceremony at Christ the Savior.  Bryce is currently attending Grove City College in Grove City, Penn., and was a 2025 Scholarship Award recipient. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF EVENT

Graduates and college students at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church received annual Scholarship Awards during two separate presentations on June 15 and June 22. Co-Stewards for Education Ben Stamper and Ian McGovern awarded the following students with scholarships: Cassiana Reznic, an 8th grade Home School graduate; Arden Stamper, currently attending the new University of Austin in the inaugural undergraduate class; Sofia Cole, a high school Home School graduate; Bryce Tagllialatella, currently attending Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania; and Samantha McKulsky, a graduate of Henry Abbot Technical School; Elias Locke, an eighth-grade Home School graduate; and Emi Whitfield, currently attending Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Congratulations to all of our graduates! VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF BOTH PRESENTATIONS

Cameron DeLeone and his wife Benita DeLeone were recently welcomed into the Orthodox Christian faith with a chrismation ceremony. Their children John DeLeone and Olga DeLeone were baptised into the faith on the same day. It was a beautiful ceremnony and the entire parish welcomes the DeLeone family. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF EVENT

Gregory Stevenson was baptized into the Orthodox Christian faith on February 23, 2025. with sponsors Ben and Vesper Stamper. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of event.

Laura Callahan was Chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Church at Christ the Savior in January 2025. Standing by her side at the ceremony was proud sponsor Pattie Kopcha. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of the event.

With her proud parents Mary and Zachary Wolfe by her side, Selah Anastasia Wolfe was baptised into the Orthodox Christian Church at Christ the Savior in November 2024. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of event.

'Christ the Savior' welcomed Johnathon Michael Wenzloff into the Orthodox Christian Faith with a baptism on November 3, 2024 with his mother Brittney Ann LaBracque and godfather Ronald Michael 'Patrick' Sullivan Jr. by his side. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of event.

'Christ the Savior' welcomed newly chrismated parishoners Ronan and Samantha to the Orthodox Christian faith on October 27, 2024. Mary Ann Sporcic and Ron Sullivan served as the proud sponsors. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of event.

Congratulations to newly chrismated parishoners Mike Sereday and Ryan Callahan who were officially welcomed into the Orthodox Christian faith at 'Christ the Savior' on October 6, 2024. VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of event.

Baby Andrew Damu was baptized at Christ the Savior in October 2024 with his proud parents Michael & Christine Damu by his side along godparents Brigid and Dave Solek. Andrew's four sisters Doxia, Isolde, Constantina and Roxanne were very excited for their new baby brother. VIEW a photo gallery of the baptism.

On June 9th, Christ the Savior was pleased to award the following six graduates with annual scholarships from the parish student fund:

Kirill Oleynikov - Kirill graduated from Woodbury Middle School this year with a 3.9 GPA and received the Superintendent Award. He will be attending Taft High School in the fall and aims to earn the presidential award for academic excellence. Kirill is a level 9 gymnast and a musician. 

Thea Oleynikov - Thea graduated from Woodbury Middle School this year with a 3.7 GPA and received the Superintendent Award. She will be attending Nonnewaug High School in the fall with goals to excel in mathematics while continuing to participate in track, cross country, and various NHS programs. Thea is an active member of a Woodbury/Bethlehem leadership and fundraising group called Alliance 

Tim Cole -  This year Tim completed the accredited Artist, Producer and Engineer 101 course at Factory Underground Tech in Norwalk, Conn., earning a Level VI certification in audio production and engineering. In the fall, Tim hopes to take the next level of certification course for audio engineering while continuing his luthiery training. Tim plays gigs throughout the state with several bands. He also volunteers at the Woodbury Food Bank, participates in the Crossover Orthodox Young Adult meetings, and plans to head to Kentucky this summer to help the IOCC with home rebuilds.

Jonathan Daniel Wenzloff  - Johnny graduated Woodbury Middle School and will be attending Nonnewaug High School in the fall. Just a few of his achievements and community service include being a stalwart Boyscout, cleaning the local park for Earth Day, helping with our church’s Easter egg hunt. He also helped with setting up a soap box derby for little kids and built a mini golf course at the senior center. While attending church on Sundays, Johnny keeps an eye on the younger children to help make sure they are safe.

Arden Lille Evangeine Stamper - This fall, Arden will be attending the University of Austin, a new university, as a member of its inaugural class. While her major will technically be Liberal Arts, she plans to continue focusing on French while pursuing Russian and other language studies along the way.  

Alexei Richard (not pictured) - Alex is a graduate of Newtown High School. He participated in several clubs, including Knitting Club, Mental Health Club, and Community Friends Club where he packaged food for local families in need. He is a member of the National Art Honor Society and has dedicated over 15 hours of community service, earning him an extra cord for graduation. Alex won an award for the most growth over four years in the business department, a broad department of subjects including coding and computer science, which he hopes to pursue in college. 

Annual Scholarship Awards 2023

On June 11, Christ the Savior was pleased to award three graduates with annual scholarships from the parish student fund. Hannah Cole is a homeschool student finishing 8th grade, as well as a bronze award Girl Scout and a co-op student of CHANGE (Christian Homeschoolers Acknowledging a Need for God in Education). She is also a founding member of the OCLife ministry at Christ The Savior, as well as the secretary for the Connecticut Homeschool Students for Life. In the coming school year, Hannah plans on improving her guitar, crochet and French mime skills. She is also looking forward to begin studying veterinary sciences.
Timothy Cole is a high school graduate, an Eagle Scout and an accomplished musician. This summer, Tim will be participating in the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) home build in Paducah, KY, a town that has experienced severe tornado damage. In the fall, Tim will be taking music production, engineering, and luthiery classes at Factory Underground Tech, a small music school and recording studio in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Having just completed his fourth year studying architecture, Mark Yuschak is a rising fifth year student at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In addition to being inducted into the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society for Architecture and Applied Arts, Mark serves as the assistant choir director at All Saints Church in Olyphant. This summer, he is pursuing an internship with Doyle Coffin Architects in Ridgefield and serving on the programming and scheduling team for our Diocese’s Youth Rally.

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Southbury recently presented scholarship awards to two of their college students for the coming school year.

Pictured from right to left is Father Moses Locke, Pastor presenting a scholarship to Mark Yuschak. Mark will be entering his fourth year as an Architecture student, at Marywood University in Scranton, PA.  Also receiving a scholarship, but not pictured, is Alban Stamper.  Alban will be entering his second and final year at Tunxis Community College in Farmington, CT.  There he will be earning an associate degree in fine art with a concentration in photography.

Sunday was also a day to give special recognition to the hard working teachers in the “Live Wires” church school program at Christ the Savior Church in Southbury.  A beautiful potted plant was presented to each teacher in appreciation of their dedicated service at Christ the Savior Church. Pictured from left to right are Sarah Cole, Sandra DiResta, Daniela Polonyova, Father Vladimir Aleandro, and Liana Berry.  Missing from the photo are Rebekah Lee and Ron Sullivan.

With sadness but gratitude for their 23 years of friendship, love and service to our church and its’ family, we wished God’s speed to Chuck and Melanie Ringa as they started their new chapter in South Carolina.

Congratulations to newly Chrimated parishoner Richard Frankonis and his wife Nina.

Congratulations to Amanda and David Dubail on the christening of their son Waylon Michael Dubail!

We welcome Ben, Vesper, Alban, and Arden Stamper to Christ The Savior

On July 7th, 2019, we celebrated the transition of Pastoral Authority from Fr. Vladimir Aleandro (pastor for 24 years) to Fr. Moses Locke. After the reading of the Akathist “Glory to God for All Things”, Fr. Moses was presented with the parish metrical book (a record of church activities) and a Shepherd’s Crook (which Fr. Vladimir had received during his mission to Turkana). Joining the parish were many visiting clergy (both Orthodox and non-Orthodox) and guests who came to wish Fr. Vladimir well on his retirement and Fr. Moses well on his appointment. Close to 200 people were in attendance, showing the love that is felt for not only both men, but our parish as well.

On June 30th, we celebrated Divine Liturgy. It was an especially meaningful service as it was the last liturgy with Fr. Vladimir as Pastor of Christ the Savior. Fr. Vladimir did a special homily, using the time to help educate us on the preparation of the Gifts. Anne Wilkinson, representing the stewards and parishioners, presented Batushka and Matushka with their official retirement Hawaiian shirts and a gift for their dedicated and tireless service. Fr. Claudio Petrescu, visiting from Romania, also served.

'Christ the Savior' welcomes the Yale Russian Chorus for an 'Evening of Music' on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 7 p.m. The concert is open to the public and will feature a mix of Orthodox Christian and traditional Russian songs.