November 1. 2014
Howell, NJ: Brother Jose’s Memory honored at Diocesan Center

On Friday, October 31, the eve of the feast of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, the memory of the martyred Brother Jose Muñoz-Cortes was honored at the Eastern American Diocesan Center in Howell, NJ. The All-Night Vigil served in the Church of our Lady of Tikhvin was especially festive, because 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of St. John’s glorification by the Russian Church Abroad. With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, upon completion of the service, a general panihida was served for Brother Jose.

Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov addressed the faithful after the panihida, saying:

"Many of us remember the year 1982, when on November 24 the Montreal Icon of the Mother of God began to stream myrrh… And when Brother Jose would come here to this church and we would speak with him, we never imagined that this holy icon would one day disappear.

"Once, during a visit of the Icon to Lakewood, on Saturday night after Vigil we daringly asked Brother Jose to let the Icon remain in our room for the night. And at around 2-3 o’clock in the morning, we woke up and felt as though we were suffocating. We turned on the light and saw that the entire analogion was covered in myrrh from the Icon! We were frightened and woke Brother Jose. He came and said that the Icon had filled with myrrh for the Liturgy, because so many people had gone to confession and repented their sins. Brother Jose gathered several small bottles full of myrrh, in order to give out cotton pads with myrrh to each of the faithful.

"And then came 1997, when Brother Jose was brutally martyred in Athens. When his remains were brought to Jordanville, a coroner examined his body– which had not been embalmed in the eight days since his death – and reported that he saw no signs of decay. During the funeral, many saw his wounds and the signs of his torture…

"And so, for many years, on the day of Brother Jose’s martyric death, pilgrimages to his gravesite have been performed. Interestingly, then-Archbishop Laurus did not give his blessing to have concrete placed over the martyr’s coffin. ‘It will be easier to open this way,’ said Vladyka Laurus. We here, just as the faithful in Russia, honor Brother Jose’s memory and ask him to intercede for us, sinners.

"Memory eternal to our dear Brother Jose, and many thanks to him for all that he did for the Orthodox Church!"

Fr. Serge called on the faithful not to forget him in their private prayers, as well.

Panihidas in honor of Brother Jose were served in parishes and monasteries across the Diocese.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese