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June 17, 2011
Jackson, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion led the funeral of Archpriest Philip Petrovsky

On Friday, June 17, the faithful of the Eastern American Diocese gathered in the lower Holy Virgin Protection Church at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ for the funeral of Archpriest Philip Petrovsky. The Liturgy for the Departed was served by Archpriest Alexander Golubov (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, NY), co-served by Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, St. Vladimir Memorial Church deputy rector Priest Serge Ledkovsky, Priest Jonah Campbell and Deacon Leonid Roschko (clerics of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), and parish deacons Fr. Alexander Smida and Fr. Paul Drozdowski.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, led the funeral service, co-served by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, and a multitude of clergy, who had arrived from across the diocese to bid farewell to this good shepherd. The marvelous singing of the combined choir, under the direction of Reader Alexander Petrovsky, Fr. Philip's son, contributed to the prayerful mood of all present.

Many of the clergy bade farewell not only to an outstanding pastor, but to a near and dear friend, as well. Fr. Philip will be remembered as a man of strong faith and a zealous preacher of Orthodoxy. Having dedicated his life to the furtherance of their holy work, he often spoke of the legacy of Archbishops Vitaly (Maximenko) and Nikon (Rklitsky). Fr. Philip was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Nikon, became his spiritual son, and continued the holy work of his spiritual father, wholeheartedly disseminating Holy Orthodoxy among native-born Americans. Both of these great hierarchs are interned in the lower Holy Virgin Protection Church, and it was touching to see Fr. Philip lying between his two mentors, having concluded his mission here on earth.

By his pastoral love and the spiritual wisdom he imparted upon his spiritual children at holy confession, Fr. Philip became a highly sought-after spiritual father among hundreds of the faithful in the New Jersey deanery and beyond. Thanks to Fr. Philip’s labors, countless souls were brought into the fold of the Holy Church, many of whom would later form the backbone of the English Mission in Jackson so beloved by its good pastor. This was no coincidence: Fr. Philip’s kindheartedness and selflessness inspired many, both among the clergy and laity, to great feats on behalf of the Holy Church.

The eulogy was delivered by the dean of New Jersey, Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov. After the funeral, a procession was performed around the church, after which the burial was held at St. Vladimir’s Cemetery. A memorial repast was then served in the parish hall. Memory eternal to Fr. Philip!

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