November 5, 2013
Howell, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Regular Session of Diocesan Council

On Tuesday, November 5, a regular session of the Diocesan Council was held in Howell, NJ under the chairmanship of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion.

Also taking part in the meeting were:

His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield
Archpriest Serge Lukianov – diocesan secretary
Archpriest Victor Potapov
Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell)
Archpriest Mark Mancuso
Priest Alexandre Antchoutine
Deacon George Temidis
Deacon Michael Wengrin – diocesan treasurer 
Reader Peter Lukianov- director of the diocesan media office
Reader Gregory Levitsky – recording secretary
Mr. Serge R. Lopoukhine
Mr. George N. Nikolsky

The meeting opened with the singing of the prayer "O Heavenly King" and the intonation of "Memory Eternal" for the servant of God Vadim, newly reposed father-in-law of Fr. George Temidis. Then followed the reading of the day’s agenda and the minutes of the previous meeting (July 29, 2013). After several minor corrections, Metropolitan Hilarion and the Council approved the minutes of the previous meeting.

 

Bishop Jerome

 

Council members discussed a petition by Bishop Jerome for financial assistance, to be provided until such time as he becomes eligible for Social Security in December. Taking into account Bishop Jerome’s swift and unexpected retirement, the Council resolved to assist His Grace, disbursing $1,000 ($200 per month from August, when he ceased drawing a salary). The Council also noted that the Diocesan administration had no input in the decision by the Synod of Bishops to retire His Grace, and as such responsibility for his financial care in retirement should rest with the Synod.

 

St. Michael’s Church in Newark, NJ

 

Council members discussed the closing of St. Michael’s Church in Newark, NJ. The parish was effectively dormant, with few parishioners and no regular clergy. With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the church building was sold. The parish donated $20,000 from the sale to the Diocese, while the remaining money and contents of the church will be used to open a mission parish in Raleigh, NC.

 

St. Nicholas Church in Millville, NJ

 

Council members discussed the closing of St. Nicholas Church in Millville, NJ. The parish had been waning for years, and with rector Archpriest Nikolai Manduke’s request for retirement, would be unable to support a full-time priest. The Mandukes were given a diocesan Gramota as thanks for their many years of service to the Church.

 

With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the church was officially closed and the building was emptied. Members of the clergy took proper care in removing the altar table and iconostasis, which have been appropriately disposed of. Many of the contents were donated to fledgling parishes ‒ St. Joasaph Church in Brooklyn, NY, the Vladimir Mother of God Mission in Costa Rica, and Christ the King Church in Tullytown, PA. The property will be put on the market.

 

St. Joasaph Church in Brooklyn, NY

 

Council members heard a report from Fr. Serge, in which he informed them of the opening of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn, NY. The church is a storefront with an attractive façade. Parishioners have put much work into the exterior and interior of the space. The rector, Archpriest Boris Oparin, is to be commended. We now have four churches in Brooklyn caring for the Russian Orthodox community.

 

Zlatovest Church Supply

 

While visiting the Ukraine, Fr. Serge was able to obtain candle stands and panihida tables, as well as shipping, at very low cost. This will allow diocesan parishes access to affordable church supplies. The Council approved the sale of the supplies for the financial benefit of the Diocese.

 

Holy New Martyrs Church in Brooklyn, NY

 

Owing to administrative disagreements and an interruption of regular parish life at Holy New Martyrs Church in Brooklyn, NY, Metropolitan Hilarion had elected, prior to the Council meeting, to relieve rector Archpriest Tseshkovsky, assistant cleric Abbot Cornelius (Apukhtin), and all members of the parish council of their responsibilities at the parish. Fr. Serge Lukianov was named temporary rector of the parish, with Archpriest Peter Kunitsky and Priest Constantine Gavrilkin temporarily assigned as assistant clerics. With the disbandment of the parish council, several members of the Diocesan Council were assigned as temporary parish administrators. Victor remains assigned as rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Mahopac, NY, and Fr. Cornelius remains attached to the Synodal Cathedral in New York City.

 

Council members heard several reports expressing displeasure at Fr. Victor’s dismissal (including one from Fr. Victor himself), and Metropolitan Hilarion made clear that no blame had been placed on Fr. Victor. In fact, it was Fr. Victor himself who brought the problems at the parish to his Hierarch’s attention. However, for the overall good of the parish, all parties involved had been dismissed in hopes of starting a new life within the community. To that end, it was reiterated that all those parish council members who had been relieved of their duties, including the warden and his assistant, were to remain uninvolved in any parish financial affairs going forward; Metropolitan Hilarion offered a personal plea that any and all provocations and attempts to foment discontent within the parish community cease. Council members likewise approved a letter to be addressed to parishioners expressing the same.

 

Diocesan Youth

 

Responding to a request from Archpriest Andrei Sommer that the Diocesan administration help sponsor some of our youth for the upcoming All-Diasporan Youth Conference, the Council resolved in the affirmative. Additionally, the Diocesan Council allocated $2,500 toward St. Herman Youth Conference, and approved sending a letter to all parish rectors with an appeal to donate toward the conference.

 

2014 Lenten Retreats

 

The Council approved holding two Lenten retreats, as in previous years. The "Northern" Retreat will take place at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY on Wednesday-Friday, March 12-14, on the second week of Great Lent. The "Southern" Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV on Monday-Wednesday, March 24-26, on the fourth week of Lent. Several speakers were proposed for the retreats.

 

Proposed Parish Transfer in Jacksonville, FL

 

The Council heard a report, which related that Fr. Ivan Voloschuk had contacted the diocesan administration asking to transfer his parish into ROCOR from the Serbian Church. Fr. Ivan’s recently purchased a new church building and number roughly 100 parishioners. Ultimately, owing to a number of concerns relating to Fr. Ivan’s prior history in the Diocese, the Council unanimously recommended that Metropolitan Hilarion decline Fr. Ivan’s request.

 

Diocesan Audit

 

Fr. Alexander (Frizzell) read a report from Joseph Kollar, chairman of the diocesan auditing committee, regarding his recent audit of diocesan finances. All receipts and recorded transactions were found to match the bank statements, and all deposits, scans, and entries were examined and found to be in order. Mr. Kollar recommends that the Council encourage the creation of a more anticipatory budget, as well as set up a contingency fund for unanticipated expenses. Council members approve Mr. Kollar’s recommendations.

 

Treasury Report

 

Fr. Michael Wengrin delivers a report on the diocesan treasury. The following were distributed for review:

1)       A balance 2012-2013 (3/31-3/31) comparison.

2)       A statement of cash receipts and disbursements, October 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.

3)       A Profit & Loss Comparison, January 1 to November 2, 2013.

4)       An audited Balance Statement from March 31, 2013. A current balance statement is read aloud for comparison.

 

Council members also approved Fr. Michael’s proposal that the diocesan treasury transfer the budget to a calendar year calculation. After some discussion, the Council voted to approve a proposed budget for 2014.

 

New Diocesan Center

 

Having proposed establishing an official diocesan center at its last meeting, the Council discussed where the center should be based. Based on numerous requests from the current rector, Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, to retire, the Council unanimously recommended that the Metropolitan grant his petition and accept his proposal for St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, to become the new diocesan center. St. Alexander’s offers many significant benefits: it is located near current operations, is easily accessible for travelers and, most importantly, has the requisite infrastructure for a full-time administration, including offices and housing. Fr. Valery will officially retire by September 12, 2014 and, together with his Matushka Irina, remain in the current rectory for as long as they desire. Council members expressed their sincere thanks to Fr. Valery for his more than 50 years of dedicated service to the Holy Church. Metropolitan Hilarion tasked Council members with drafting an administrative plan for the new diocesan center to be presented at the next regular session in the spring.

 

Brother Jose Muñoz-Cortes

 

Fr. Victor Potapov delivered a report to the Council about St. John the Baptist Cathedral parish’s pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery for the 16th anniversary of the martyrdom of Brother Jose. He was heartened by the turnout from the parish – almost two busloads, over 100 pilgrims, made the trip to honor the chosen one of the Mother of God. He sincerely hopes that grassroots actions like the pilgrimage and the new section on the website will lead to widespread popular veneration and support for Brother Jose’s glorification.

 

Ordinations & Awards

 

Since the last review of ordinations and awards at the Diocesan Council meeting on March 1, 2013, the following clerics have been ordained:

 

To the priesthood: Priest Demetrio Romeo, Priest Michael Lillie, Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov), Hieromonk Hilarion (Heagy), Priest Richard Stoecker, Priest John Boddecker, Priest Vladimir Kaydanov, Priest Damian Dantinne.

 

To the diaconate: Deacon Mikhail Mikhailenko, Deacon Peter Markevich, Deacon Andrew Hammond, Deacon Michael Pavuk, Deacon Nathaniel Sorochka, Deacon Nazari Fataliev, Deacon Vladimir Barros, Deacon Daniel Gregoire.

 

And the following awards were given:

 

Jeweled cross: Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis

 

Palitsa: Archpriest George Johnson, Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell)

 

Archpriesthood: Archpriest Boris Slootsky, Archpriest Peter Jackson

 

Gold cross: Hieromonk Andrew (O’Leary)

 

Kamilavka: Priest Job Watts

 

Skufia: Priest Gabriel Weller, Priest Richard Reed

 

Nabedrennik: Priest Matthew Smith, Priest Eugene Antonov, Hieromonk Photius (Oulanov), Priest Maximos McIntyre, Hieromonk Moses (Borges)

 

Protodeacon’s kamilavka: Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur

 

Protodiaconate: Protodeacon Thomas Branch

 

Double orarion: Deacon Paul Drozdowski

 

Council members also discussed various issues facing the diocesan administration in its everyday operations. The meeting concluded with the singing of "It is truly meet."

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese