August 29, 2012
"The Good Pastor:" The Eulogy Dedicated to the Bright Memory of
Archpriest Peter Mocharsky
This year, August 29, the feast of the Translation of the Icon of
our Lord Jesus Christ "Not-Made-By-Hands" from Edessa to
Constantinople, marks the 35th anniversary of the repose of
Archpriest Peter Mocharsky, longtime cleric of the Eastern American
Diocese. For almost 20 years, Fr. Peter served as rector of Holy
Trinity Church in Astoria, NY. He also served as a member of the
Diocesan Council, as well as president of the Eastern American
Diocesan Spiritual Court. In connection with the anniversary, the
editors would like to offer the eulogy delivered by Protopresbyter
Valery Lukianov, "The Good Pastor," dedicated to the bright memory
of Fr. Peter (the sermon is printed in Fr. Valery’s book, "My Soul,
Arise" – see
here).
In
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
When we deliver a eulogy for the departed, we try therein to praise
his memory, but, according to our Christian understanding, that
eulogy must be delivered for the express purpose of edifying those
who hear it. Examining today the nearly 50 year-long priesthood of
Father Peter, we can find a true source of edification.
Father Peter did not come from a clerical family, and yet he came to
walk his priestly path all on his own, which says much of him.
Having received a seminary education, he went off to serve in the
blessed southwestern region of Russia, to grace-filled Volhynia. At
the time, church life there was vibrant, work in the Church
abounded, and there one often witnessed the fervent prayer of the
people in church, who would sing the divine services "with one voice
and one heart." And so, Fr. Peter dove into this wonderful, prolific
church life with all of his passionate young heart. But then the war
began. The battle to protect his family required massive efforts on
the part of the young priest, that he and his family and children
might overcome all the horrors of war. Then they became refugees,
and were forced to leave everything behind, saying goodbye to their
marvelous churches and their teeming parishes; they had to serve in
camp barracks, amid the most difficult conditions of life in the
camps. And Father Peter began his pastoral work from scratch, having
obtained a new flock, of whom many are here in this church today.
And then ‒ America... How did Father Peter come here? Normally, like
everyone else? No ‒ Fr. Peter came to America carrying on his
shoulders, literally, an iconostasis for a new church, which he was
determined to found in the New World. Everyone marveled at this
undertaking. Not long after, he founded St. Nicholas parish in New
York, wherein he erected the iconostasis he prayerfully brought from
Europe...
Of course, Father Peter never forgot his earlier days, when he bore
witness to the whole congregation singing in church, when they
organized pilgrimages with processions to healing springs or places
that housed wonderworking icons: and here, in America, he organized
and took part in pilgrimages, which were cause for great spiritual
uplifting. I remember when Fr. Peter used to serve a moleben early
in the morning before setting out, and how the parishioners would
fill the buses and head off on pilgrimage to the holy sites,
adorning their trip with spiritual hymnody...
Father Peter loved to take part in great events in the life of the
Church, and was the first to support large concelebrations.
Owing to a great deal of effort, Father Peter was able to obtain the
first large [ROCOR] church in New York City, to the great joy of
parishioners and Church authorities. That was Holy Trinity Church in
Manhattan. However, along with this he was accorded the bitter lot
of enduring many sorrows, but the Lord transformed all of them into
great joy. Leaving behind Holy Trinity Church in New York City,
acquired with so much difficulty, Fr. Peter was assigned to a small,
impoverished parish in Astoria. Part of his flock followed him here,
and Father immediately began searching for a new, more fitting home
for the church. In return for his diligent work and patience, the
Lord sent him a great comfort. His search was rewarded with
extraordinary success. A beautiful location was found with an
attached rectory. Here Fr. Peter began to construct the magnificent
and majestic Holy Trinity Church. Could one possibly recount all of
the trials, difficulties, challenges, and personal loss that Father
had to endure while founding this marvelous and beautifully adorned
church? The Lord Himself will doubtlessly reward the good labors of
His servant.
What was the spiritual character of this extraordinary pastor?
Foremost, Fr. Peter possessed an exceptional humility and
simplicity. He was always of a chaste disposition. Nobody ever heard
lewd jokes or inappropriate speech leave his mouth. In addition,
this was a man who took joy in life, and knew how to transmit high
spirits to those around him, as well. Everyone knew Fr. Peter for
his exemplary hospitality. He received true joy in sheltering,
feeding, and comforting others, offering them a place to stay, even
for the night. Father’s house was always open to all. Being
unmercenary, he gave away all that he had without hesitation, and
the Lord generously recompensed him again and again for his
kindness. Father Peter had an innate sense of duty and honor. We
will always remember the ever-memorable
Batushka as a man of kind
heart, merciful disposition, and commiseration for the misfortunes
and needs of others.
As
a clergyman, Fr. Peter was a shining example of loyalty to his
priestly work. Having a strong prayerful inclination, his zeal was
revealed in his service to God. He was the first in church. During
all of Great Lent, he served the requisite morning and evening
services, even when he was the only one in church. Father Peter’s
favorite pastime was adorning his parish, and the fruits of his
labors are visible here before us. He served on the Diocesan Council
and in his final years was the President of the Spiritual Court.
The years passed. Fr. Peter was visited by various ailments, and his
heart and nerves began to fail. As though foreseeing his coming
repose, he directed his steps to Holy Trinity Monastery, there
spending his final namesday. At the monastery, he went to Holy
Confession and Communion, and prepared himself for the journey into
eternity. At the same time, with his whole heart he desired to die
doing what he loved, and the Lord made manifest His mercy. Father
died in his capacity as rector of his own beloved parish. The Lord
provided him with yet another mercy, delivering him from any
suffering to which his increasing maladies were inevitably leading.
Brothers and sisters! We know from the Holy Gospel that at the Dread
Judgment the Lord will say to the righteous: "Come,
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me
meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye
took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:34-36,40). We
will not be asked then how many degrees we’ve earned (although this
is certainly good, if the sciences lead us to a knowledge of God),
but how many good deeds we’ve done. Father Peter did not content
himself with flowery rhetoric, but performed deeds of mercy as he
walked the path of life. Therefore, as we pray now for the repose of
the soul of the newly departed servant of God Archpriest Peter, we
hope that the Lord will vouchsafe him to hear those most longed-for
words at his judgment: "Well
done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few
things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:23). Amen.
Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov
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