January 21, 2013
Flushing, NY: Bishop Jerome led the Funeral of Archpriest Alexey Ohotin

On Monday, January 21, a multitude of the clergy and faithful gathered at Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY to bid farewell to the newly reposed rector, Archpriest Alexey Ohotin. The Liturgy for the Departed and funeral were led by His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, co-served by local diocesan clergy.

The eulogy was delivered by Priest Alexandre Antchoutine, son-in-law of the newly reposed and rector of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY (read the eulogy here). Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov read aloud a letter of condolence from the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad to Matushka Tamara and the Ohotin family:

Dear in the Lord Matushka Tamara, Fr. Serge, Nicholas, Matushka Nina, and Elena,

It is with heavy heart that I write to you, regretting that I cannot be present with you to share in your sorrows and pray in person for the repose of the servant of God, the ever-memorable Archpriest Alexey.

For over 52 years, Fr. Alexey was not only an active member of the Russian Church Abroad and the Eastern American Diocese, but he always yearned to give more of himself and to better serve the faithful and the Lord: baking prosphoras for neighboring parishes, taking part in NORR camp as a spiritual counselor, and joining the Diocesan Council and Spiritual Court, for whose younger members he long remained a trusted advisor from among the senior clergy.

As clergy of Christ’s Church, we pray unceasingly for “a Christian ending to our life.” Few of us are given the blessed repose bestowed upon Fr. Alexey. Despite struggling with grievous illness, he was able to continue serving at God’s Holy Altar until the end of his days, and fell asleep in the Lord peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, while his children remain loyal fellow toilers in Christ’s Vineyard.

As you lay to rest your beloved husband and father, know that the entire Church Abroad mourns the passing of one of Her pillars, and that the clergy of the whole Church pray that he become a partaker of the eternal Pascha, the radiant and ever-lasting celebration of our Lord’s triumph over death.

With love in Christ,

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On behalf of Metropolitan Hilarion and the clergy and faithful of the Eastern American Diocese, Fr. Serge presented Matushka with a copy of the Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God as a blessing and comfort.

Fr. Alexey’s burial was held at the cemetery at the Novo-Diveevo Convent in Nanuet, NY. At the parish hall of Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY, the deceased’s friends and relatives prepared a memorial repast for all those present.

Memory eternal to Archpriest Alexey! Click here for photos of Fr. Alexey.

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

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese