January 21, 2014
Brooklyn, NY: Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal leads Patronal Feast of St. John the Baptist Church

On Monday, January 20, the feast of the Synaxis of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY celebrated their patronal feast day. With the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

Co-serving with His Eminence were: Archpriest Alexander Belya (parish rector and New York City dean), Archimandrite Alexander (Belya; rector of St. Matrona Church in Miami, FL), diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Archpriest George Kallaur (rector of the Church of our Lady "Unexpected Joy" on Staten Island, NY), Archpriest Boris Oparin (rector of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn), Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), Priest Alexandre Antchoutine (rector of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY), Priest Constantine Gavrilkin (cleric of Holy New Martyrs Church in Brooklyn), Priest Vladimir Kaydanov (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell), and Deacons: Nathan Mousselli (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City), Petr Utkin (parish cleric), Michael Wengrin (diocesan treasurer and cleric of St. George’s Church), Vladimir Barros (cleric of Intercession Church in Glen Cove), and Dionysius Lvov (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral).

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Gabriel greeted the rector and all of the parishioners on the occasion of the patronal feast, saying, in part:

"This church was founded in the knowledge that tens of thousands of citizens from the former Soviet states reside here, and are in need of spiritual nourishment. For what is now your fourth year, you, dear Fr. Alexander, have been fulfilling your service in Brooklyn, and the fruits of your pastoral labors are clearly visible before us on the faces of your parishioners. I wish you God’s aid in multiplying this parish, that the Lord might help you attract new people and always remain a united spiritual family. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we must ‘bear one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2). If you will help one another and, most importantly, help the parish, then the Lord will never leave you and your parish will grow."

On behalf of the New York City Deanery, Fr. Serge Lukianov greeted Fr. Alexander and the parishioners, noting that all of the rectors of the Brooklyn and Staten Island parishes were present for the patronal feast:

"We greet and congratulate our dean, and wish you, dear Father, patience, wisdom, and spiritual and physical strengths, so that you might continue your service in the vineyard of Christ. May God grant that under your leadership our New York churches might continue to flourish."

In turn, Fr. Alexander thanked Archbishop Gabriel for his Archpastoral visit, and for his holy prayers during the Liturgy:

"Today’s feast is a special feast not only for our church, but for the whole universe, because John the Baptist summoned all to repentance. He called all to know the Truth, and the Truth is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. There is no greater joy for man than to know the Truth – to know Christ. St. John the Baptist helped people find this joy, and we believe that today he helps us, as well, and prays for us before the Throne of God. For this reason, we are overjoyed that you came to us, dear Vladyka, because you are well-known in Brooklyn. You blessed the opening of the first churches here, and to this day we can feel your prayers."


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