September
17, 2009
Mahopac,
NY: Rebirth of the New Kursk Root Hermitage
With
the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, the rebirth of
the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Mahopac, NY, on
lands of the New Kursk Root Desert (named in honor of the miraculous
Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign") will
begin.
This
miracle-working icon, through which St. Seraphim of Sarov received
healing as a child, is rightfully called "She who shows the
way," the Guide of the Russian Diaspora. She fled with Russian
refugees through Yugoslavia and Germany, and came to America, where
the New Kursk Root Hermitage became Her first home, founded on the
donated country property of the Princes Belosersky-Belozersky. The New
Kursk Root Hermitage has survived many trials, joys, sorrows. It was a
monastery, founded by Bishop Seraphim of Chicago, and housed a
printing press, a bakery, and a hotel for pilgrims. On the lands are
chapels, a pond, and a small Russian cemetery. The Hermitage survived
times of decline, as well as a fire in 1995. Since 2004, a parish
named for the Nativity of the Mother of God has been in operation.
The
winter of 2008-09 was not as easy one, but the divine services were
continued by Priest Ilya Gun, despite the fact that the church lacked
water and heating, and the building was close to unusable.
In
August 2009, beginning with the donations of Vasily Serdsev and the
efforts of the parishioners themselves, both children and adults who
care deeply for this place, repairs began, including replacing the
roof and reinforcing the base of the church building.
May
the Lord help all those who come forward with aid for the first home
of the Kursk Root Icon, which remains the symbol of our Diasporan
past. We can make use of any help, both physical or material.
Donations can be sent to the following address:
Mahopac Church Restoration Fund
Nativity of the Holy Mother of God
P.O. Box 240
Mahopac, NY 10541-0240
(USA)
A
photo-report by Ekaterina Piskareva is available here
and here.
September
27 will be the feast in honor of the Parish Feast Day of the Nativity
Church. The Hierarchal Liturgy will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by a
crucession and luncheon. We invite all to keep the old tradition,
whereby many arrived from all surrounding parishes to attend this
service.
Historic Photographs of the Kursk Root Hermitage
republished from "Russian Orthodox Church Abroad"
Editor: A.A. Sollogub
