Sunday, July 28, 2013 marks the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of
the Russian people into the Orthodox Christian Faith by St.
Vladimir. It is to this momentous occasion that the Orthodox
faithful of the Russian land owe their entire cultural identity,
while non-Russian Christians in many lands the world over owe to it
their illumination in the bosom of Christ’s Church. In accordance
with Diasporan tradition, the national celebrations in honor of St.
Vladimir – the founder of Holy Russia and the first of the Russian
saints ‒ will be held at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson,
NJ.
The festivities will be preceded by the Great Consecration of the
lower Church of St. Olga on Wednesday, July 24, and a Grand St.
Vladimir’s Ball on Friday, July 26. Services will be led by the
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and ruling bishop of the
Eastern American Diocese, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion,
co-served by His Eminence Onouphry, Metropolitan of Chernovtsy &
Bukovina, and hierarchs and clergy of the Church Abroad. You are
cordially invited to join us in celebrating 1,025 years of Russian
Orthodox culture!
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, July 23rd 5:30 PM: Panihida
at St. Olga’s Church for all the founders and benefactors of St.
Vladimir Memorial Church. 6:00 PM: All-Night
Vigil at St. Olga’s Church led by His Eminence Metropolitan
Hilarion.
Wednesday, July 24th – Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Princess
Olga 9:00 AM: Greeting
of Metropolitan Hilarion at St. Olga’s Church. 9:30 AM: Great
Consecration of St. Olga’s Church, followed by Divine Liturgy.
Saturday, July 27th 5:00 PM: All-Night
Vigil at St. Vladimir Memorial Church.
Sunday, July 28th – Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir 8:30 AM: Hours.
Clergy must be vested in white vestments by 8:30 AM. A temporary
vestry will be set up in St. Olga’s Church. 9:00 AM: Procession for the greeting of the
three wonderworking icons of the Mother of God. 9:20 AM: Greeting
Metropolitan Hilarion, followed by Divine Liturgy. A grand
procession will be held after the Liturgy with the blessing of the
waters and a new monument to Abp. Vitaly (Maximenko), Abp. Nikon
(Rklitsky), and Met. Laurus (Skurla). 12:30 PM: Group photo in front
of St. Vladimir Memorial Church.
With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, a combined
choir of singers from across America will sing the divine services
under the direction of Deacon Alexander Petrovsky. Those who are
interested in participating in the choir should contact Fr.
Alexander at (216) 571-4084 or kamerton1975@gmail.com for more
information.
INFORMATION FOR SCOUTS
The Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia (NORR) and
St. George Pathfinders of America (ORUR) summer camps will
participate in the St. Vladimir’s Celebrations. Scouts will maintain
order during the services, march in the grand procession, and help
with setup and cleanup during the weekend. Those scouts who are
interested in participating in the celebration should contact Deacon
George Temidis (NORR) at
(845) 564-7615
or ggt123@gmail.com or Reader Nicholas Pokrovsky (ORUR) at
(201) 337-0029
or
ndpako@intserad.com.
PROCESSION
Upon completion of the Divine Liturgy, a grand procession will be
held around the property of St. Vladimir Church. In the past,
parishes from across the Diocese would participate in the procession
with their own gonfalons (хоругви)
and parish icons. This year we hope to return to this tradition and
all parishes, Cossack and scout organizations are encouraged to
participate once again. Mr. Peter Okopny will be directing the
procession. Those who are interested in participating should contact
him as soon as possible at tel.: (602) 463-1109 or e-mail:
okopny1@gorvw.net.
SISTERHOOD ASSISTANCE
Throughout the course of the weekend, the St. Olga Sisterhood in
Jackson will be busy preparing several meals for the large amount of
clergy and pilgrims expected to attend the celebration. All parish
sisterhoods from the Diocese are encouraged to offer assistance to
St. Olga’s Sisterhood, so that the burden of feeding such a large
crowd does not fall solely on their shoulders. If physical
assistance cannot be offered, then sisterhoods are encouraged to
make a financial contribution according to their means to help
offset food expenses. For more information and to offer assistance,
please contact head sister Matushka Tamara Ledkovsky at tel.:
(732) 928-1248
or e-mail tamarabelg@yahoo.com.
MEDIA
The Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese is responsible for
media coverage throughout the celebration. Outside news media
outlets (church websites included), photographers and journalists
must register with the EAD Media Office in order to be allowed
access to the services. Outside photography and videotaping is
strictly forbidden during the services. Serving clergy are
not permitted to photograph or videotape during the divine services.
All media inquiries should
be made to the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese at
eadwebmaster@gmail.com or (732) 682-6914.
