July 19, 2013
Jackson, NJ: Representatives of the Russian, American, Ukrainian, and Belorussian Churches will take part in the Celebrations of the 1025th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’

The diocesan celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ on July 27-28 will include representatives from the Russian, American, Ukrainian, and Belorussian Churches. The festivities will be held at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ.

In addition to celebrating the anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, the Eastern American Diocese will also be marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of St. Vladimir Memorial Church. The triumphal laying of the cornerstone was performed in 1938 by Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky), Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko), and Bishop Macarius (Ilyinsky), archpastors of the then-united Russian Church in America, which later divided into three parts – the American Church, the Church Abroad, and the Moscow Patriarchate. After long decades of bitter separation, the three parts of the Russian Church are once again joined in Eucharistic communion, and their representatives will take part in the celebration.

The Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, will represent the Russian Orthodox Church and her Primate, His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill. Taking part on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America and her Primate, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, will be Bishop Irénée of Quebec City. Bishop Meletiy of Khotin, vicar of the Diocese of Chernovtsy, will represent the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and her Primate, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Vladimir. The Belorussian Church and His Eminence, Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, will be represented by Archimandrite Nicodemus (Generalov), professor at the Minsk Theological Academy, and Abbot Hermogenes (Panasiuk), treasurer of Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Stavropegial Monastery.

The services will be led by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York. His Eminence will be co-served by the above-mentioned hierarchs, as well as Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, and Bishop Jerome.

For more information about the St. Vladimir’s Day celebrations, click here.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese