March 17, 2016
On 8th Anniversary of Metropolitan Laurus’ Repose, Eastern American Diocese celebrates Memory of Former First Hierarch

Clean Wednesday, March 16, marked the eighth anniversary of the sudden repose of His Eminence Laurus, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad. Having participated in all of the divine services on the first week of Great Lent, the 80-year-old Metropolitan peacefully reposed in the Lord on Sunday morning, the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It had not yet been one year to the day since the moment that became the greatest achievement of his Primacy: overcoming the division between the two branches of the Russian Orthodox Church – the Reunification of the Russian Church Abroad with the Moscow Patriarchate on May 17, 2007.

In the churches and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese, the clergy and faithful celebrated the memory of their beloved abba, praying for his repose. In the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, upon completion of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York – Metropolitan Laurus’ successor – served a litiya for the departed. In St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ, a procession was held from the cathedral to the Reunification monument, where a litiya was served. And in Holy Trinity Monastery, where the former First Hierarch is interred in a crypt below the altar, a litiya was served following Liturgy.

The hearts of the faithful children of the Church Abroad will always harbor fervent love for their humble archpastor, spiritual father, and true man of prayer, as well as sincere gratitude for the feat of restoring canonical unity within the Russian Church.

Memory eternal to Metropolitan Laurus!

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese