Русская Версия

May 25, 2011
Jackson, NJ: Renovations at St. Vladimir's Memorial Church

 

Many of the churches and parishes in the Eastern American Diocese are true jewels, excellent examples of Russian church architecture, and they all stand in testimony to the fervent piety of their founders. St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ is no exception. St. Vladimir’s is the resting places of Archbishops Vitaly (Maximenko) and Nikon (Rklitsky), two of the most distinguished and outstanding hierarchs in the history of the Eastern American Diocese. For this reason, it is a popular stop for visitors from Russia. Founded by Archbishop Vitaly in honor of the 950th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, it has served as a spiritual symbol of unity among Russians in America and hosted the central ROCOR celebration of the Millenium of the Baptism of Russia in 1988.

 

In more recent years, having fixed serious leaks in the church roof, much damage to the interior walls remained. The marvelous frescoes, the work of Archimandrite Cyprian (Pyzhov) and his pupils, was ruined in various spots. God answered the earnest prayers of the clergy, and several parishioners stepped forward, offering to do the work for free. Quite telling are the words of the leader of the work group to Priest Serge Ledkovsky, the church’s deputy rector: "Years ago, when all of these churches were being built or needed repair, the first waves of immigrants simply did the work themselves. They are almost all dead now; so it is now our responsibility to do likewise and take care of our churches."

 

And so they did. For a month, five men took time from their own schedules, set up scaffolding, and scraped away ruined plaster and paint, replastered, and repainted. The spots which needed artistic repair were repainted by Fr. Serge & parish Deacon Paul Drozdowski. All of the window frames were painted as well, and the workmen even offered to wash the windows and extensively clean the chandelier. As a result, the church is clean & bright looking, almost new. Thanks to the volunteers, whose zeal shows that they love the beauty of God's house, St. Vladimir Memorial Church, which is a jewel not only of the Eastern American Diocese, but of the whole Church Abroad, is well on its way to being restored to its full dignity.

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Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese