Русская Версия

September 23, 2010
Mahopac, NY: Metropolitan Hilarion led the divine services in the New Kursk Root Hermitage

The weekend of September 18/19, the parish of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God in Mahopac, NY celebrated its upcoming patronal feast and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Hermitage of Our Lady of Kursk (New Kursk Root Hermitage).

Background: In 1950, Prince and Princess Beloselsky-Belozersky donated their Mahopac estate to the Synod of Bishops to serve as a base for the Synod upon its arrival from Europe. This place was to serve as the home for the Holy Kursk Root Icon, and, in time, a small monastery. The future Archbishop Seraphim was sent to the US from Europe to head the stavropegial monastic community which was named the New Kursk Root Hermitage (Novaya Korennaya Pustyn’) in honor of the original, which suffered at the hands of the communists. Under the supervision of an architect from the local Russian community (Vishnevsky), the church wing was added to the main building in just five months. The church was consecrated in the fall of 1950, shortly prior to the arrival of Metropolitan Anastassy and the start of the 1950 Sobor that was held in Mahopac for a period of approximately two weeks.

The wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God arrived at the New Kursk Root Hermitage on Saturday afternoon, greeted by the rector, Archpriest Victor Tseshkovsky, and parishioners, with ringing bells and the singing of the troparion. The holy icon was placed in the center of the church and a moleben was served. The holy icon was taken on a procession around the entire territory stopping at every structure, the cemetery, both chapels, and the pond. During the procession, as the holy icon was being carried through the woods from the cemetery to the pond, the wonderful fragrance significantly increased, becoming apparent at quite a distance. That evening, an akathist and Vigil were served.

Last March, a package of candles was given to the warden by the monks of the Kursk Root Hermitage, built at the location where the holy icon was discovered in 1295, with a special request that they be lit during the next visit of the icon to the New Kursk Root Hermitage, as a sign of our spiritual closeness. The candles filled three entire candle stands surrounding the holy icon during the vigil service. It was one year ago, in these September days, that the holy icon made its first trip to Russia and returned to Kursk for the first time in many decades. The spiritual link between our Hermitage in Mahopac and the Root Hermitage in Russia was clearly felt that day.

Sunday morning brought perfect weather, sunny with a clear blue sky. The tables were set, the outdoor chapel freshly painted, candle stands, icons, and flowers, all moved outdoors. His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, was greeted with bread and salt by the warden and addressed by the rector. The Liturgy was concelebrated by Bishop Jerome, rector Fr. Victor (rector), Archpriest Boris Oparin (cleric of Holy New Martyrs Church in Brooklyn), Archpriest Alexander Donchenko (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY), as well as Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY) and Deacon Vladimir Oliynyk (cleric of Holy New Martyrs Church in Brooklyn). A multitude of communicants partook of the Holy Mysteries from two chalices. In his sermon, Metropolitan Hilarion spoke of the history of the holy icon, its ties to the New Kursk Root Hermitage, and of the Mother of God and the unique place of honor she occupies in the Orthodox Church. His Eminence thanked all those who applied considerable effort to the preservation and nascent rebirth of this holy place. Vladyka acknowledged that there was still a great deal of work to do, but that a great deal of progress had been made. After the Liturgy, a moleben with procession took place from the chapel around the church building, with over 250 participants. When you include the people helping prepare for the trapeza, the parking assistants, and many other helpers, the total count for the day was a little short of 300. At the conclusion of the procession, His Eminence presented gramatas to recognize the efforts of Priest Ilya Gun (retired), Warden George Temidis, and long-term, universally respected, church stewards Viacheslav and Olga Maltsev.

The outdoor luncheon was enjoyed by all, under the century-old maples in the perfect weather. Parishioners, friends and guests enjoyed the entire property, with the children even taking a rowboat out on the pond. At 2:30, a film from the Kursk Root Hermitage on the holy icon’s history was shown to a large audience in the new (not quite completed) hall. His Eminence and His Grace joined well over 100 people for the screening. It is interesting to note that another tradition was resurrected this day by the Brooklyn parish of the Holy New Martyrs of Russia. In years past, people would travel to the feast day celebration by chartered buses from the NYC area. The Brooklyn parish filled a giant chartered bus to come to Mahopac!

There was a great deal of interest in the ongoing reconstruction project and everyone was very pleased to see the progress made. Over the summer, donations slowed considerably, forcing the stoppage of work. Many people promised to help continue the fundraising efforts to enable the work to progress. To date, $105,000 has been raised and was stretched to perform between $250-300,000 worth of work. Unfortunately, even though a great deal has been done, we are still less than half-way to completion, on just the main building on the property. As we approach the winter, we have to complete several key projects to protect the current investment made: completing the exterior wall enclosure and siding as well as extending the heating system to cover the entire first floor and kitchen. A minimum of $25,000 has to be raised for these immediate needs, prior to the winter freeze. Contact information is available at www.russian-church-mahopac.org and donations can be mailed to:

Mahopac Church Restoration Fund
PO Box 240
Mahopac, NY 10541-0240

A great day was enjoyed by all under the veil of the Russian Diaspora’s Holy Protectress. The conversations were friendly, the children were joyous, and many songs were sung. His Eminence and His Grace circulated among their flock, speaking, listening, and even singing with the people.

Festal participant

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese