Русская Версия

March 16, 2011
Howell, NJ: Prayerful Commemoration of Metropolitan Laurus at the Diocesan Center

On Wednesday, March 16, on the third anniversary of the blessed repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was served in St. George’s Church at the diocesan center in Howell, in the presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov served the Liturgy, co-served by parish Deacon Leonid Roschko. Praying in church were Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George’s Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), Priest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ), and Priest Jonah Campbell (parish cleric).

Upon completion of the Liturgy, the clergy served a panihida for Metropolitan Laurus and for the newly departed Metropolitan Nicholas (Smisko). After the panihida, Fr. Serge addressed the gathered worshipers with a sermon on the First Hierarch of blessed repose, noting that His Eminence was able to reunite the Russian Church, similar to the reunification of the two parts of the severed Kursk Icon.

In honor of the anniversary of Metropolitan Laurus’ repose, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, served a panihida in Holy Cross Monastery and released the following statement:

"Metropolitan Laurus is a spiritual example for everyone desiring to live according to the laws of the Church. This simple monk denied his own will and followed God’s call, in so doing overcoming every power of the devil aimed at tearing apart the One Church – the Raiment of Christ. We will never forget the enormous contribution Metropolitan Laurus made in this life to the holy labor of reuniting the Russian Church. May his memory live on for endless ages, unto generation and generation."

Upon completion of the Presanctified Liturgy, His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, also served a panihida in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese