Dear students of the Russian Orthodox School in Los Angeles!
We warmly congratulate all of you on the beginning of the second half of the 2025–2026 academic year!
You have already completed four months of studies — this is a significant milestone! Some of you have discovered new favorite subjects, some have overcome difficult topics, and some have felt for the first time: “I really can do much more than I thought before.” Every one of you has become a little stronger, wiser, and closer during this time to the image that the Lord has envisioned for us.
Ahead lies the second half of the year, which means:
- new discoveries in the lessons of the Law of God and Biblical Geography,
- exciting journeys through the pages of Russian literature and the history of the language,
- the long-awaited Christmas and Paschal celebrations,
- spring projects, quizzes, essays, and, of course, the well-deserved summer holidays.
Remember the wise words of Saint John Chrysostom:
“It is not the beginning that matters, but how a person finishes.”
Now is the perfect time to gather your strength, catch up on what has been challenging so far, and move forward — calmly, with prayer and with faith that the Lord is always near and helps everyone who sincerely tries.
We especially want to support those who are finding things difficult right now:
- if Russian language or literature feels hard — come to us, we’ll work through it together and help you;
- if studying feels heavy — you are always welcome in the school church and in the teachers’ room;
- if it seems that your strength has completely run out — remember that even the smallest candle, lit with faith, shines in the darkness.
May the second semester become for each of you a time of good changes, small daily victories, and great joy in the Lord, in our native Russian word, and in our beautiful Orthodox faith!
With love and prayers for all of you,
Administration, Teachers, and Educators Russian Orthodox School of Los Angeles January 3, 2026