August 29, 2012
"The Good Pastor:" The Eulogy Dedicated to the Bright Memory of Archpriest Peter Mocharsky

This year, August 29, the feast of the Translation of the Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ "Not-Made-By-Hands" from Edessa to Constantinople, marks the 35th anniversary of the repose of Archpriest Peter Mocharsky, longtime cleric of the Eastern American Diocese. For almost 20 years, Fr. Peter served as rector of Holy Trinity Church in Astoria, NY. He also served as a member of the Diocesan Council, as well as president of the Eastern American Diocesan Spiritual Court. In connection with the anniversary, the editors would like to offer the eulogy delivered by Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, "The Good Pastor," dedicated to the bright memory of Fr. Peter (the sermon is printed in Fr. Valery’s book, "My Soul, Arise" – see here).

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!

When we deliver a eulogy for the departed, we try therein to praise his memory, but, according to our Christian understanding, that eulogy must be delivered for the express purpose of edifying those who hear it. Examining today the nearly 50 year-long priesthood of Father Peter, we can find a true source of edification.

Father Peter did not come from a clerical family, and yet he came to walk his priestly path all on his own, which says much of him. Having received a seminary education, he went off to serve in the blessed southwestern region of Russia, to grace-filled Volhynia. At the time, church life there was vibrant, work in the Church abounded, and there one often witnessed the fervent prayer of the people in church, who would sing the divine services "with one voice and one heart." And so, Fr. Peter dove into this wonderful, prolific church life with all of his passionate young heart. But then the war began. The battle to protect his family required massive efforts on the part of the young priest, that he and his family and children might overcome all the horrors of war. Then they became refugees, and were forced to leave everything behind, saying goodbye to their marvelous churches and their teeming parishes; they had to serve in camp barracks, amid the most difficult conditions of life in the camps. And Father Peter began his pastoral work from scratch, having obtained a new flock, of whom many are here in this church today.

And then ‒ America... How did Father Peter come here? Normally, like everyone else? No ‒ Fr. Peter came to America carrying on his shoulders, literally, an iconostasis for a new church, which he was determined to found in the New World. Everyone marveled at this undertaking. Not long after, he founded St. Nicholas parish in New York, wherein he erected the iconostasis he prayerfully brought from Europe...

Of course, Father Peter never forgot his earlier days, when he bore witness to the whole congregation singing in church, when they organized pilgrimages with processions to healing springs or places that housed wonderworking icons: and here, in America, he organized and took part in pilgrimages, which were cause for great spiritual uplifting. I remember when Fr. Peter used to serve a moleben early in the morning before setting out, and how the parishioners would fill the buses and head off on pilgrimage to the holy sites, adorning their trip with spiritual hymnody...

Father Peter loved to take part in great events in the life of the Church, and was the first to support large concelebrations.

Owing to a great deal of effort, Father Peter was able to obtain the first large [ROCOR] church in New York City, to the great joy of parishioners and Church authorities. That was Holy Trinity Church in Manhattan. However, along with this he was accorded the bitter lot of enduring many sorrows, but the Lord transformed all of them into great joy. Leaving behind Holy Trinity Church in New York City, acquired with so much difficulty, Fr. Peter was assigned to a small, impoverished parish in Astoria. Part of his flock followed him here, and Father immediately began searching for a new, more fitting home for the church. In return for his diligent work and patience, the Lord sent him a great comfort. His search was rewarded with extraordinary success. A beautiful location was found with an attached rectory. Here Fr. Peter began to construct the magnificent and majestic Holy Trinity Church. Could one possibly recount all of the trials, difficulties, challenges, and personal loss that Father had to endure while founding this marvelous and beautifully adorned church? The Lord Himself will doubtlessly reward the good labors of His servant.

What was the spiritual character of this extraordinary pastor? Foremost, Fr. Peter possessed an exceptional humility and simplicity. He was always of a chaste disposition. Nobody ever heard lewd jokes or inappropriate speech leave his mouth. In addition, this was a man who took joy in life, and knew how to transmit high spirits to those around him, as well. Everyone knew Fr. Peter for his exemplary hospitality. He received true joy in sheltering, feeding, and comforting others, offering them a place to stay, even for the night. Father’s house was always open to all. Being unmercenary, he gave away all that he had without hesitation, and the Lord generously recompensed him again and again for his kindness. Father Peter had an innate sense of duty and honor. We will always remember the ever-memorable Batushka as a man of kind heart, merciful disposition, and commiseration for the misfortunes and needs of others.

As a clergyman, Fr. Peter was a shining example of loyalty to his priestly work. Having a strong prayerful inclination, his zeal was revealed in his service to God. He was the first in church. During all of Great Lent, he served the requisite morning and evening services, even when he was the only one in church. Father Peter’s favorite pastime was adorning his parish, and the fruits of his labors are visible here before us. He served on the Diocesan Council and in his final years was the President of the Spiritual Court.

The years passed. Fr. Peter was visited by various ailments, and his heart and nerves began to fail. As though foreseeing his coming repose, he directed his steps to Holy Trinity Monastery, there spending his final namesday. At the monastery, he went to Holy Confession and Communion, and prepared himself for the journey into eternity. At the same time, with his whole heart he desired to die doing what he loved, and the Lord made manifest His mercy. Father died in his capacity as rector of his own beloved parish. The Lord provided him with yet another mercy, delivering him from any suffering to which his increasing maladies were inevitably leading. Brothers and sisters! We know from the Holy Gospel that at the Dread Judgment the Lord will say to the righteous: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:34-36,40). We will not be asked then how many degrees we’ve earned (although this is certainly good, if the sciences lead us to a knowledge of God), but how many good deeds we’ve done. Father Peter did not content himself with flowery rhetoric, but performed deeds of mercy as he walked the path of life. Therefore, as we pray now for the repose of the soul of the newly departed servant of God Archpriest Peter, we hope that the Lord will vouchsafe him to hear those most longed-for words at his judgment: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:23). Amen.

Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov


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