Rock Creek Cemetery was established in 1719 as a churchyard for St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Sections of the 86-acre cemetery are reserved for use by members of St. John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral (Section V), as well as for those of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The gem of our section is the chapel dedicated to the Myrrh-Streaming Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. It was designed by parishioner Irene Zarechnak, constructed by Deacon Herman Ricketts and the exterior mosaics and interior murals were executed by renowned iconographer Alexander Sokolov (+2015)' The chapel was consecrated in September 2005 by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (+2008). Requiem Liturgies are celebrated in the chapel several times a year.

Approximately 1000 grave plots exist in Section V, of which 600 are occupied. The earliest burial dates to 1961. All the plots previously owned by our church in Section V have been sold, but Rock Creek Cemetery has developed a section immediately to the left (north) with 120 plots set aside for our parish. Those plots, purchased directly from the cemetery, cost $7,500. Individuals interested in purchasing a plot should contact the cemetery’s director Keena Terry, 202-726-2080. For other Rock Creek Cemetery questions, contact our Parish’s cemetery warden, Alexander Zarechnak, 540-729-6378, alexanderzarechnak@gmail.com.

Those seeking less expensive plots (about half the cost of those at Rock Creek Cemetery) for their loved ones might consider the cemetery in Elkridge, Maryland belonging to Baltimore’s Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (cemetery manager Michael Mickel, 410-666-2870).

Rock Creek Cemetry, Section V map:

The names of departed, their associated plot numbers (see the map above) as well as photos of gravestones are provided in Section V Burials (Within a section, numbering is right to left: e.g., 102-2 is to the left of 101-1.)

The entire photo gallery of Section V burials you can find here:
Section V Burials Photo Gallery

Rock Creek Cemetery's Rules and Regulations as well as Master planting plan and Regulations can be found at these links:

Rules and Regulations

Master planting plan and Regulations

Directions

• Rock Creek Cemetery
• Rock Creek Church Rd, NW and Webster St, NW
• Washington, DC 20011
• From St John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral, go north to Upshur St, NW (0.1 miles, two blocks)
• Turn right on Upshur St and go 1.4 miles until road ends at National Soldiers Home
• Turn left at light and go 0.2 miles
• Turn left into Rock Creek Cemetery main entrance
• Proceed north and east to Section V (see map)