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)

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese