April 28, 2015
Nanuet, NY: Bishop Nicholas leads Paschal Service on Thomas Sunday in Novo-Diveevo Convent

On April 19, St. Thomas Sunday, the second Sunday of Pascha, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Church of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY. His Grace was co-served by the convent’s confessor, Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski, Archpriest George Kallaur (rector of "Unexpected Joy" Church on Staten Island, NY), Archpriest Ilya Gorsky (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow (monastery cleric), Priest Ilya Gun (retired), Protodeacons Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack) Serge Arlievsky (monastery cleric) and Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY. Singing at the triumphal divine service was the greater monastery choir under the direction of Matushka Maria Fedorowski. The monastery houses the largest Russian cemetery in the U.S., and a multitude of Russian Orthodox Christians traditionally flock here on this day to pray for their friends and loved ones at their place of rest. Almost 100 of the faithful communed at Liturgy.

Upon completion of the service, Bishop Nicholas addressed those gathered with a sermon, reminding them that, on the first day after His Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the myrrh-bearing women, greeting them: "Rejoice!" Later, the Lord appeared to the apostles, introducing another greeting to the world: "Peace be unto you!" "Christ the Savior speaks simply, yet at the same time, very deeply: and His words are not a mere greeting or well-wishing, but a blessing from God. The Lord invites Thomas to come and believe that He Who had risen was the very same Savior, Who had risen from the dead," His Grace said. "Christ the Savior says the same to us: ‘Peace be unto you!’ The Lord invites us as well, to hear God’s words and accept His blessing. And what do we do? Now and then we close our hearts, but the Lord knocks, saying over and over: ‘Peace be unto you,’ calling on us again and again to receive Him with our whole heart. And we can only receive Christ fully when we commune of His Body and Blood."

Bishop Nicholas called on the faithful to always rejoice and truly believe that the Lord is always with us.

Led by His Grace, the clergy and multitudinous faithful went in procession to the monastery cemetery, stopping at the War Memorial, where a Paschal requiem (litiya) was served, commemorating reposed archpastors, priests, nuns of the convent, fallen soldiers of the White Army, and all those who had laid down their lives for Tsar and country. The choir sang Paschal hymns, and Bishop Nicholas thanked the clergy and all those who labor at the monastery for their work and prayers.

Upon completion of the procession, all were invited to a luncheon. At its conclusion, His Grace served a Paschal litiya at the Cadet Memorial, and visited and prayed at the graves of Synodal parishioners, bringing Paschal joy to loved ones who have passed on to the next life. Bishop Nicholas was accompanied by a small youth choir. Several diocesan priests came to the cemetery to pray for their reposed parishioners: Archpriests George Zelenin, Alexandre Antchoutine, and Mark Burachek, and Priest Dmitri Don.

The traditional marketplace was organized in the middle of the cemetery, where food and various treats were sold, as well as various Paschal gifts, brought by parishioners from Nyack and neighboring parishes.

The beautiful spring weather gladdened the clergy and parishioners, who in turn brought Paschal joy to their reposed friends and loved ones, and took advantage of the opportunity to interact with one another in the fresh air.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese