The Feast of Saint Natalia: Early 70's in Russian San Francisco

This particular collection was snapped at 2678 McAllister Street in San Francisco, in what appears to be the early 1970's. All the women featured were part of the old-school Sisterhood gang at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church at 1520 Green Street in San Francisco.

*

The original Sisterhood women were all White Russian widows—so, unfortunately, most had already, um, gone onto their Eternal Reward by the time I came along. Nonetheless, I do cherish a few happy memories of rainy Sunday mornings in the Holy Trinity kitchen, watching the last holdouts cheerfully cook pirozhki and gossip in Russian. Sometimes they also served at Christ the Saviour at 2040 Anza Street.

These photos were taken on Natalie Vasilev's 58th birthday. You can read more about her here. Natalia Feodosievna Vasilev née Mitrofanenko was born on September 3rd and shares a birthday with Valerie Perrine, Charlie Sheen, Noah Baumbach, Eileen Brennan, Paz de la Huerta, Alan Ladd, Irene Papas, Anitra Ford, David Shae, Macha Méril, Daniel Farrands, and Vince Van Patten.

I love the cock-eyed framing in these pictures. Dutch Angle, I think they call it. Was it a consequence of this particular camera? I don't think these namesday snaps were taken with a Kodak Instamatic. Maybe the next model up?

At the head of the dinner table is priest Father Roman Sturmer, alongside his ecstatic-looking wife, Xenia. Born in Russia, they escaped during the Revolution, and spent time in the Philippines before emigrating to San Francisco to take up ministry at Holy Trinity. You can read more about Roman Sturmer here. He was also the subject of a biography, although I don't think its been published yet.

I'd love to know what happened right before they snapped this one.

Natalie's flat at 2678 McAllister Street was—of course—eventually sold off, remodeled, and resurrected as a million-dollar condo. You can see its present incarnation here. I wonder if the current residents experience any old Russian lady hauntings.

And if anyone out there is a fan of the Holy Trinity Sisterhood—these legendary ladies of the past—please leave a comment. We'd love to hear from you! :)