November 28, 2011
Glen Cove, NY: Metropolitan Hilarion Celebrated the Liturgy and
Consecrated the Altar on the 60th Anniversary of the Church of the
Intercession of the Holy Virgin
This
year, parishioners of the
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in Glen Cove, NY
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of their parish. The
church was built in 1951 through the hard work of the pious Prince
Sergei & Princess Florence Beloselsky-Belozersky and warden Gregory
Mitkevich for the spiritual welfare of the Russians living in the
nursing homes that once stood near the church’s current location. On
November 26, 1951, Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) performed
the Great Consecration of the church.
"Our church, just as many older churches in the Russian Diaspora,
was built with whatever we had at hand, but with love," said parish
rector Priest Alexandre Antchoutine. "The woodwork on the walls and
the iconostasis was done by hand by our former rector, Fr. Emmanuel
Essensky (later Bishop Constantine +1996). Not one plank was bought.
He would find old boards and sometimes even took some from the
garbage, but he did it from the bottom of his heart."
Fr. Alexandre, who was assigned rector in 2003, says that the cozy,
historic church felt like home right away.
"From the moment I became the rector here, I always dreamed of
renovating this church, because it’s simply wonderful," said Fr.
Alexandre. "It is immediately visible, how much love was poured into
the church to make it look like it does today."
Following construction of the parish hall in 2004, parishioners
turned their focus to restoring the church. As the floors were being
replaced, it became apparent that the whole church was in need of
serious repairs. In 2011, when the parishioners completed the first
stage of renovations inside the church in preparation for the 60th
anniversary, Fr. Alexandre’s dream came true.
"By God’s grace, we expanded the altar, laid new flooring, restored
old icons, and painted and gilded the iconostasis," said Fr.
Alexandre. "Also, since we were able to move the main entrance to
the back of the church, as is proper, instead of on the side of the
church, we decided to build a new narthex, which was completed
literally days before the feast. Now there is a new patio in front
of the church, new doors, and a place to stand with your children.
This has given us more space inside the church, and now the choir
can sing on a new kliros
near the altar."
Fr. Alexander hopes that the parish will begin the second stage of
renovations soon: "Our work continues – this is just the beginning
of the renovations. In order to fully complete the job, we hope to
restore the church and woodwork outside."
On
Saturday, November 26, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New
York, arrived in Glen Cove to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and lead
the parish’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Before the start of
Liturgy, the First Hierarch performed the rite of consecration of
the new altar table in the renovated church.
"This is a special rite, when the relics are placed under the altar
table and the humble gifts of the earth, which the Lord Himself
gives us, are added – holy water, myrrh, wine, oil, and wax-mastic,"
explained Archpriest George Zelenin. "The Orthodox Church
established early on that the Divine Liturgy can only be celebrated
on the relics of martyrs. This invisibly binds together our entire
Church from Her very inception – from the holy apostles to our own
day. The martyrs are the strength of our Church."
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence was co-served by His Grace,
Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, New York
City Dean Archpriest Alexei Ohotin, parish rector Priest Alexandre
Antchoutine, and other clerics of ROCOR and the OCA. Among the
serving clergy were several of the parish’s former altar boys.
"It is a great joy for me to return to the church where I grew up
and remember the days when I served in the altar with Archpriest
Mark Burachek, Priest Paul Ivanov, and my brother, Protodeacon
Dimitri Temidis," said Deacon George Temidis. "It is nice to see
many of the former altar boys come today to concelebrate the Liturgy
with our First Hierarch. It is also nice to see the wonderful state
our church is in, and the love with which the people take care of
this holy place."
During the Liturgy, the First Hierarch ordained parish Reader Alexei
Oulanov a subdeacon, then ordained him to the diaconate. The newly
ordained Deacon Alexei will fulfill his service at the Church of the
Intercession of the Holy Virgin.
Upon
completion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion presented the
parish and parish sisterhood with a Synodal gramota. Gramotas were
also presented to Gabriel Temidis, who dedicated 40 years of his
life as parish warden, Vladimir and Valentina Mikhailichenko, and
Andrew Wolkow. Metropolitan Hilarion congratulated the rector and
parishioners with their momentous 60th anniversary, thanking them
for their labors in restoring the church.
"I am especially grateful to Fr. Alexander and all of the
parishioners for the wonderful work they have done in this holy
church," said Metropolitan Hilarion. "On this joyous day of parish’s
anniversary, it is fitting that we should remember those founders
and parishioners who have reposed in the Lord over the course of
these many years. May the Lord grant you the renewed spiritual and
physical strengths to continue the holy work begun by them 60 years
ago."
Fr. Alexander then presented His Eminence with an icon of the Savior
and the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the 60th anniversary and in
gratitude for his archpastoral visit to Glen Cove. After the
service, a luncheon was offered in the parish hall, where the clergy
and parishioners celebrated the occasion together.
