March 30, 2012
Howell, NJ: Matushka Raisa Mocharsky has reposed in the Lord
On
Friday, March 30, Matushka Raisa Mocharsky, mother-in-law of
Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (rector of St. Alexander Nevsky
Cathedral in Lakewood, NJ) and grandmother of diocesan secretary
Archpriest Serge Lukianov and Protodeacon Nicholas Lukianov,
peacefully reposed in the Lord.
Raisa Vasilievna was born on February 3, 1911 in Yekaterinoslav,
into the pious family of Archpriest Vasily and Maria Boguslavsky. In
1929, she married young seminarian Peter Mocharsky, who in 1932 was
ordained a priest. Fr. Peter and Matushka had two daughters: Tamara
and Irina, and a son, Nicholas, who died tragically at age 9. After
the Second World War, the family was forced to flee their homeland.
They spent several years in refugee camps, finally coming to America
in 1950.
In America, Fr. Peter and Matushka Raisa quickly founded St.
Nicholas Church in New York City, where they installed an
iconostasis that Fr. Peter brought over from Russia on his own
shoulders. In 1958, Fr. Peter was transferred to Holy Trinity Church
in Astoria, NY, where he purchased a former Protestant church and
turned it into a beautiful Orthodox church, which exists until this
day (St. Nicholas Church has since been closed). Fr. Peter and
Matushka toiled for many years in Astoria, and were beloved by all
the parishioners, who knew them as pious, hospitable, and loving
people.
With the sudden repose of Fr. Peter on August 29, 1977, Matushka’s
life was forever changed; she lost not only her husband, but her
best friend and loving Batushka. Having spent her entire adult life
as a faithful matushka, she now had a large void in her life, which
she spent the rest of her days filling with prayer and service to
others. She constantly spoke of Fr. Peter and would often tell her
children and grandchildren how she longed for the day when she would
once again be with him in the life to come.
This type of love and dedication was felt by everyone who came into
contact with her.
Having
moved to Howell, NJ in 1987, she spent her final years living next
door to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where all the parishioners
knew her as the "parish babushka." Until she was 99 years old, she
would hardly ever miss a service, and knew practically every prayer
by heart.
The final three years of her life she struggled with Alzheimer’s
Disease, which left her in a blessed, child-like state. Despite her
ailment, she would still recite and sing all the prayers and several
akathists each day.
Since 1977, Matushka has lived with her daughter Tamara, who devoted
her life to her mother. For the last ten years, Tamara Petrovna
selflessly cared for her ailing mother, and thanks to her and her
sister, Matushka Irina, Matushka Raisa spent the final years of her
life surrounded by family.
Her repose was that of a righteous woman. She received Communion
frequently, and was able to venerate the Kursk Root Icon of the
Mother of God just a few days before her repose.
On March 29, Fr. Valery and Fr. Serge performed the last rites over
Matushka, and on the following day she surrendered her soul to
Christ, surrounded by family and friends.
Matushka Raisia is survived by two children, seven grandchildren, 20
great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
All funeral services will be held at
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ.
Friday, March 30: 5:00 PM Panihida
Saturday, March 31: 8:30 PM Panihida
Monday, April 2: 7:30 PM Panihida
Tuesday, April 3: 10:00 AM Funeral, followed by
burial at Novo-Diveevo cemetery at 2:30 PM
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to:
St. Alexander Nevsky Benevolent Fund
200 Alexander Avenue
Howell, NJ 07731
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