April 22, 2010
Mahopac, NY: The Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women in the New Kursk
Root Hermitage
On Saturday
evening, April 17, under the direction of Eugenia Temidis, the Holy
Myrrhbearers Diocesan Women’s Choir sang a joyful Paschal All-Night
Vigil on the eve of their patronal feast day at the Synodal Cathedral
of Our Lady of the Sign. The Women’s Choir was joined by guest
singers from the Synodal Cathedral, as well as from other parishes of
the Diocese that had attended several choir rehearsals in preparation
for this annual celebration. The divine service was officiated by His
Grace, Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, co-served by Archimandrite John (Magramm),
Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov) and
Protodeacon Nicholas Mokhoff. Archdeacon Eugene Burbelo was present in
the altar. The Holy Myrrhbearers Choir remained true to the Paschal
season and chanted, rather than read, almost all of the Vigil service.
Particularly majestic sounding were Kastalsky’s "Christ is
Risen," as well as his Polyeleos (not appointed, but sung by
synodal tradition), as well as other selections by such great names as
Chesnokov, Tolstokulakov, Ledkovsky, Trubachev, and chants from both
the Kievan Caves and Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavras.
The following
morning, Sunday, April 18, the Women’s Choir sang with renewed
spirit and inspiration at the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of
God at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY. His Grace, Bishop
Jerome, was greeted by parish rector Archpriest Victor Tseshkovsky,
and guest clerics Archpriest Boris Oparin (cleric of Holy New Martyrs
and Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY), Archpriest Alexander
Donchenko (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY), Priest
Ilya Gun (retired), Protodeacons Igor Panachev (cleric of St. Nicholas
Patriarchal Cathedral in Manhattan), Sergei Arlievsky (cleric of Holy
Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Dimitri
Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), as
well as Deacon Ivan Voloshchuk. Approximately 300 people were in
attendance. During the reading of the hours, long-time parish
reader-acolyte
Maxim Needlman
was awarded the right to wear the orarion. In his sermon, Bishop
Jerome spoke of the Orthodox woman and the example the Holy
Myrrhbearers show us all.
Upon conclusion of
the festal Divine Liturgy, an entire day’s celebration honoring
Orthodox women was begun. Worshippers were treated to an abundant
trapeza, after which all returned to the church where the Holy
Myrrhbearers Women’s Choir sang a thanksgiving moleben, during which
Metropolitan Hilarion’s Epistle for the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing
women was read, followed by a short Paschal concert. Once again, the
joyful troparion "Christ is Risen" resounded in the church,
this time sung in many different languages and traditions – Greek,
Georgian, Arabic, French, and others. All present shared a
particularly poignant moment when choir director Eugenia Temidis
recounted the death of new martyr-composer Archpriest Michael Lisitsyn
(1872-1918), followed by a performance of his composition of the
Paschal troparion in Greek. Having completed their singing, the
members of the Holy Myrrhbearers Women’s Choir were finally able to
relax and join the rest of the guests in celebration in the parish
hall. Although this space is currently under reconstruction, no one
present seemed to mind as the celebration continued with a
children’s performance, live music outdoors, and a traditional
barbeque.
People continued to
arrive, bringing at least an additional 150 people and a large amount
of clergy. Then, the program moved outdoors, where the women were
greeted with flower petals. An address from Andrey K. Yushmanov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York was
read. Women who were "children of the war" were presented
with ribbons and Vera Petrovna Paramonova, a survivor of the blockade
during WWII, was presented with the 65th anniversary medal
and citation, specially delivered to the parish for this event from
the consulate. His Grace Bishop Jerome presented the award. A very
significant live entertainment program proceeded throughout the day,
including the Kozak Family Trio, guitarists, accordionists, etc. A
children’s program took place, as well, with shows put on by the
School of the Mid-Hudson Russian Community Association and hilarious
children’s entertainment by Arkasha the Clown. Music and dance
continued until late. Unfortunately, the changing weather conditions
and cool temperatures caused some disruption and relocation of
elements of the program, which inconvenienced our generous performers,
but did not interfere with people enjoying themselves throughout the
day.
For months, the
growing congregation in Mahopac has been working tirelessly on the
restoration and renovation of their church, as well as that of several
other buildings on the premises of the New Kursk Root Hermitage. There
were many comments by attendees about the wonderful progress the
parish has made in the reconstruction of the building. New foundation
footings and crawl space was added around the perimeter, the entire
floor was re-framed and sheathed with plywood. Two new restrooms are
operational and the large, new kitchen has been sheet rocked. New
windows have been installed on most of the first floor. Overall, over
the last six months, approximately $200,000 worth of work has been
completed, even though the total raised and spent is under $80,000.
The parish is very judicious with every penny collected and spent on
restoration.
The parish thanks
everyone who reached out to support our celebration of the Orthodox
Woman, and to all who generously continue to support the restoration
with their labor and donations. Anyone wishing to join the efforts is
welcome to send checks to:
Mahopac
Church
Restoration
Fund
PO
Box
240
Mahopac
,
NY
10541-0240
By
the will of the Most Holy Mother of God, a truly joyful and inspired
revival is taking place in Her holy home.
Christ
is Risen!!!
Media Office of the Eastern
American Diocese
