June 8, 2012
Howell, NJ: The Ceremonial Opening of Russian House "Rodina"

 

On Saturday, May 26, the ceremonial opening of Russian House "Rodina" was held in Howell, NJ. The Russian House is the ideological successor to the "Rodina" Russian Cultural Society, founded in 1954 and located in the same building. The Society played a significant role in the social life and benevolent functions of church society: within its hall were held theatrical productions, presentations by famous musicians, an art studio, a sports club, "youth circles" with rooms for ping-ping, chess, declamation, painting, arts and crafts, traditional dancing, woodcarving, and much more.

 

Taking part in the opening were representatives of the clergy and social, political, and cultural celebrities of the Russian Diaspora, as well as members of St. George’s Pathfinders of America. The ceremony began with a moleben before the start of any good work, which was led by Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, co-served by Deacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of the neighboring St. George’s Cossack Church). A memorial to A.S. Pushkin (sculptor M. Zvyagin) was then unveiled.

 

Prior to entering the building, Fr. Serge Lukianov read aloud a letter from the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, in which His Eminence welcomed the Russian cultural center’s opening:

 

"By the will of the Most High God, this opening marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration and cooperation between the Church and your organization, whose goal is not only to acquaint our American neighbors with Russian culture, but to preserve our heritage for our children, the heirs of a great tradition."

 

On behalf of the Metropolitan, Fr. Serge presented Alexander Bondarev, president of Russian House, with a copy of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, with a commemorative plaque. Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (rector of the neighboring St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), the senior-most cleric in the Church Abroad, also greeted those gathered. On behalf of the residents of Howell, Mayor Robert Walsh greeted the organizers and guests, and presented Mr. Bondarev a set of American flags.

 

A banquet was then held for the ceremony’s guests, during which many congratulatory and thankful speeches were offered to the participants of Rodina’s opening. After the banquet, a Russian music concert was held, in which the following musicians took part:

 

Nikolai Semenov, soloist at Russia’s Bolshoi Theater (tenor), Moscow;
Elena Isaeva (soprano), Laureate of International Competitions, Moscow;
Vyacheslav Motsardo (baritone), composer, performer, and stage director, Moscow;
Inna Gilmore (flute), Laureate of International Competitions, USA;
Brian Gilmore (piano), Laureate of International Competitions, USA;
Eugene Magalif, composer, USA.

 

The program included Russian folk songs, and the romances of M. Glinka, P. Tchaikovsky, A. Alyabyeva, and E. Magalif. Poems were read by Nina Kartashov.


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