August 24, 2012
Glen Cove, NY: Parish life in Holy Virgin Intercession Church

On Sunday, August 12, with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, His Grace John, Bishop of Caracas & South America, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the 10th Sunday after Pentecost in Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY. Toward the end of his visit to the U.S., Bishop John visited Glen Cove and gladdened the clergy and parishioners with an Archpastoral visit. His Grace was co-served by rector Priest Alexandre Antchoutine and Deacon Nathan Mousselli (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City). In his sermon, Bishop John explained the meaning of the Gospel reading for the 10th Sunday, and its spiritual significance. Fr. Alexandre then greeted His Grace and thanked him for the divine service ad for the spiritual joy he had brought to the parish by his visit. On behalf of the parish, Fr. Alexandre further expressed his hope that Bishop John would visit Holy Intercession Church again in the future. The sisterhood held a luncheon, during and after which parishioners were able to continue conversing with the Hierarch. Thanking everyone for their warm welcome and expressing his hope for further visits and interaction with the parish in the future, Bishop John departed for Synodal headquarters.

On Saturday, August 18, on the All-Night Vigil for the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the rector was co-served by Priests Alexei Oulanov (parish cleric) and Radomir Plavsic (cleric of the Serbian Church), along with Deacon Andrei Psarev, visiting from Jordanville. On the day of the feast itself, following the dismissal after the Divine Liturgy, the blessing of the "first fruits" of the harvest was held.

During the divine services, parishioners especially prayed for Fr. Radomir’s family ‒ Matushka Alena and their son Milan. Fr. Radomir is a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary (2005) and St. Vladimir’s Seminary (2009). Deacon Radomir served in Holy Intercession Church for several months. On July 15 of this year, Deacon Radomir was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Longin and assigned as rector of a parish of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Minnesota. Following the intonation of the Polychronion, Fr. Alexandre presented Fr. Radomir a censer, asking that his prayers for the parish family of the church in Glen Cove, where Fr. Radomir began his clerical service, might be lifted up alongside the smoke of the incense.

During this time, Fr. Radomir’s spouse, Matushka Alena, directed the choir in Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove. Fr. Radomir and his family are moving to their new home on August 21. Matushka Alena will continue her multifaceted work for the Fund for Assistance to ROCOR and the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese.

Following the luncheon, around 40 parishioners and guests remained to take part in a discussion with Fr. Andrei Psarev, a professor at Holy Trinity Seminary, entitled "What is the Law of the Church?" Fr. Andrei spoke on what comprises the body of the Church’s canon law, and how to properly approach a study of the canons, acquainting his audience with several different methods. The ensuing lively discussion touched on several contemporary issues, and Fr. Andrei responded to a multitude of questions. All of the parishioners and those present said they found the lecture very informative, and expressed their hope that Fr. Andrei might not only continue on the subject in the future, but might also deliver other lectures in Glen Cove. "What is the Law of the Church?" is the first in a series of lectures and seminars that will be delivered at Holy Intercession Church every month. We hope that these lectures and seminars will help all those who participate in them to become conscientious members of the Church, continuing their spiritual development. The next lecture in Glen Cove is schedule for Sunday, September 23. The topic of the lecture and further details will be announced in the near future.

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese