On December 19, 2017, the day of the Feast of St. Nicholas, CRA President, N.Sabelnik presented Nikolai Massenkoff with a certificate of honor from Russian Federation’s commission on compatriots living abroad for his special contribution to support of Russia, development of communication with his historical motherland, and preservation of Russian language and culture.

The certificate was requested to be presented to him by the Consul General Sergey Petrov (and signed by then-Ambassador Sergey Kislyak), but due to the closure of the SF Consulate, N.Sabelnik as current chair of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots of the US was asked to do the presentation. Nikolai Massenkoff, born in Shanghai and raised in the St.Tichon orphanage (founded by St.John of Shanghai & San Francisco) from the age of 3 years old, dedicated his life to Russian music and culture. For many years, he had conducted and sang in numerous Russian Orthodox church choirs and volunteered his time for Russian community events, concerts, festivals and other fundraising events.

Nikolai Massenkoff, a long-time Congress of Russian Americans member, represented CRA in the 1^st International Russian Festival in Moscow and was named laureate. Among his numerous performances, he has performed at the Seoul, Korea opening Olympic games, at the Las Vegas Jerry Lewis Telethon, Carnegie Hall and throughout different cities and stages of the US, Russia and the world.  In 2016, he was nominated by CRA for the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots of the US award for his contribution of promotion of Russian culture and won this award. The certificate and award were added to his vast collection of many other awards, as well as posters and photos from his performances.