Icon of Jesus, the Theotokos, and St. John the Russian
The Orthodox Church of St. John the Russian

The Bee Hive

Our Own Apiary

In the spring of 2011, Matushka Xenia and daughter Juliana began keeping bees in the Church yard. At the beginning, the hive was located on the back side of the Church in hopes that noone would get stung. However, as interest among friends and parishioners increased, it was decided to move the hive into the Church garden, next to the well.

Though a few have been stung, generally the bees peacefully buzz about, pollinate the flowers and draw interest. Each year it seems the hive gets a bit stronger and this year, each parishioner received honey.

The beehive is named for Saint Zosimas Abbot of Solovki.

Photo Gallery

Beehive apiary
Beeswax on counter in kitchen
Bees in the hive
Matrushka Xenia and Juliana with the bees
Bees on beeswax in the hive
Bees on beeswax in the hive #2
Closed beehive
Beehive covered in snow
Honey pouring out of a canteen
Honey bears
Beeswax on the hive
Sedating bees with smoke
Bees crawling on exterior of bee hive
Holding honey comb with bees on it
Smoking bees #2
Extracting honey from the honey comb
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