October 31, 2013
Howell, NJ: Series of Productions by Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov
concludes with event honoring 400th Anniversary of House of Romanov
On
Sunday, October 27, the last in a series of literary and musical
productions by Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov (rector of All Saints
Church at Moscow’s Novo-Alexeevsky Monastery and member of the Union
of Russian Writers) and renowned Parisian pianist Renara Akhoundova
was held at Russian House "Rodina" in Howell, NJ.
The event at "Rodina" was dedicated to the 400th Anniversary of the
Romanov Dynasty a dynasty whose members, according to the event’s
organizer and president of the Russian House Alexander Bondarev,
"elevated the glory and might of Russia to unknown heights by their
selfless devotion, labors, and talents… It is thanks namely to the
emperors of the House of Romanov that we today enjoy the enormous
territory of a new Russia, the wealth of her countless natural
resources, her grand and world-renowned culture, and her great
history."
Fr. Artemy himself gave the event high praise, describing it as
follows: "Today’s gathering in honor of the 400th Anniversary of the
Romanov Dynasty was well-attended: children, adults, people who have
reached almost 100 years of age, all took energetic part in this
evening’s event. It opened with readings of classical poetry, read
and performed by our young people, and concluded with the
performance of ‘Scarlet Crowns’ (dedicated to the Royal
Passion-Bearers – ed.) comprised of the reflections of a priest and
the improvisations of an outstanding and incomparable Parisian
pianist. The gathering warmed the hearts of its attendees, and my
principal role as a priest was to engage the listeners in a dialogue
with the Sovereigns, who bore their mutual love and fidelity, like a
candle, to the very end, and which they did not abandon even beyond
the grave. I very much hope that similar Russian events will effect
the enlightenment of our young people living in America, and return
to the audience a sense of intercommunion with their homeland."
The celebrations in honor of the 400th anniversary were attended by
official representatives of the Russian Federation government:
- Anatoly Kargapolov – Culture Advisor to the Consul General of the
Russian Federation in New York;
- Alexey Timofeev, Counselor of
the Russian Embassy in the USA; and
- Ludmila Pirozhnikova –
Chairwoman of "Rossotrudnichestvo" Federal Agency in New York.
Likewise, congratulatory greetings to the event’s participants were
sent by:
- Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First
Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad;
- State-Secretary and
Deputy Culture Minister of the Russian Federation Grigory Ivliev;
and
- Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York – Igor
Golubovsky.
Also
in attendance at the celebrations were Eastern American Diocesan
vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge
Lukianov, senior diocesan cleric and rector of neighboring St.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, and
representatives of the oldest Russian monarchist organization – the
Russian Imperial Union-Order.
All in all, Fr. Artemy held three performances – the first ("Life in
a Big City") was held on October 18th at St. Nicholas Patriarchal
Cathedral in New York City. Parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate
and the Church Abroad gathered there and, according to Fr. Artemy:
"We spoke about how the Christian soul, residing in a metropolis,
can preserve an innermost sense of prayerful peace; how not to be
torn away from one’s spiritual roots, but rather – through time
spent alone with nature, through interaction with one’s neighbors in
a spirit of love, meekness, and benevolence – to build up a golden
reserve of God’s grace in one’s heart. Here, too, Renara
demonstrated her marvelous art of improvisation: she answered the
priest’s words by literally materializing all of the thoughts and
feelings contained within them."
The second performance ("Fathers & Sons") was held on October 20th
by St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC. After the
Divine Liturgy, a discussion was held between Fr. Artemy and
parishioners: "We spoke about how not to lose the fire of cheer,
joy, and gratitude ‒ remembering St. Jonah of Hankou, who was
distinguished by these virtues ‒ and how to stand against sorrow,
despondency, and depression, which often take hold of and enslave
the righteous and wicked alike." That evening, the performance
itself was held at the local Catholic University of America, and was
dedicated to "the eternal theme of fathers and sons. Renara
performed pieces dedicated to mothers and grandmothers. We spoke
about how important it is not to tear the thread of communication
between younger and older generations; we spoke about how children
do not choose their parents, and must regardless, looking beyond
their parents’ natural failings, serve them until their dying day
with a tremendous feeling of gratitude. For a kindly, grateful, and
acknowledging attitude toward one’s parents is a sign of a morally
mature person. Christians must first and foremost remember the
commandment to honor one’s parents."
Indeed,
the uniting theme behind all three performances was a call summoning
the youth to loftier ideals: love for the faith and fatherland,
which could be clearly seen at the Russian House. According to
Alexander Bondarev, "We must restore the succession of ideas and
implant in our young people a feeling of pride for their country –
this is our duty and our goal. We must communicate with our youth,
even if they speak English more and more and forget Russian. It is
in our power to make events like these stay in their memories and
form within them a relationship with Russia’s far-off and glorious
past, filling their hearts with love and pride."
Soon after, Fr. Artemy was obliged to depart from America and fly
home to Russia and to his own parish, though the Eastern American
Diocese eagerly awaits his speedy return.
Photo-report of the concert in New York City
Photo-report of Fr. Artemy’s visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral
and concert in Washington D.C.
Photo-report of the concert in Howell, NJ
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
