March 16, 2013
Jordanville, NY: The Fifth Anniversary of Metropolitan Laurus’
repose was commemorated in Holy Trinity Monastery
On
Saturday, March 16, on the feast of the Commemoration of all our
God-bearing Fathers who shone forth in asceticism, the fifth
anniversary of the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus
– fifth First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad – was
prayerfully commemorated at
Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.
Metropolitan Laurus entered the Brotherhood of St. Job of Pochaev in
Ladomirovo in Czechoslovakia when he was 12 years old. He later
moved with the brethren to the village of Jordanville in New York
State, where he spent the remainder of his life in prayer. From 1975
until his death in 2008, he served as the monastery’s rector.
Metropolitan Laurus had a substantial impact on the spiritual life
of the monastery, where the brethren and pilgrims continue to feel
his presence to this day. "This
was his home – in the full sense of the word. Vladyka loved being
here," said Archimandrite Luke (Murianka; monastery rector).
"Whenever he came back from a trip, he made it clear that he wanted
to be here."
In 2001, he was elected the fifth Primate of the Russian Church
Abroad. In 2007, under his guidance, the Russian Church was united.
"I
think that was one of the reasons he accepted the position of First
Hierarch – because the Sobor of Bishops allowed him to continue
residing in Jordanville," said Fr. Luke. "Vladyka was centered in
the spiritual life in a way that was organic for him. He lived the
spiritual life and it reflected in every way that he conducted
himself. There was an ocean of patience that surrounded him and
people felt this when they came into contact with him."
The
Divine Liturgy on the occasion of Metropolitan Laurus’ fifth
anniversary was celebrated by the current First Hierarch of the
Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of
Eastern America & New York. His Eminence was co-served by Fr. Luke,
New York City dean Archpriest Alexander Belya, diocesan secretary
Archpriest Serge Lukianov, and monastery and visiting clergy.
Upon completion of the Liturgy,
the First Hierarch addressed the brethren and assembled faithful and
reflected on the spiritual life of Metropolitan Laurus.
"We know how rigorous the first
week of Great Lent can be in a monastery and, despite his age and
ailments, Vladyka prayed at all the services until his repose, which
coincided with the Triumph of Orthodoxy in 2008. In this way, the
Lord rewarded his pious life and granted him a peaceful and blessed
repose within the walls of his beloved monastery."
After the sermon, Metropolitan Hilarion led
a panihida for Metropolitan Laurus, and then visited and prayed in
his crypt.
Memory Eternal to Metropolitan Laurus!
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